How can you calculate the thermionic work function of hydrogen?

 

Thanks in advance.

What data do you have available?

No data, I'm just looking for the equation to figure it out. I just have: J = A*T^2 * e^(-W/kT)

where, J=current density, A=Richardson's contant,T=temp in kelvins, W=work function.

 

Edit: I meant A= Richardson's constant

---

Merged post follows:

Consecutive posts merged

I've read the the thermionic work function is usually right around 1/2 the elements ionization energy.. But, I'm still looking for an equation and a definite answer ... Can anyone help?

---

Merged post follows:

Consecutive posts merged

What is required for hydrogen to even have free electrons? I guess at a certain temperature and pressure ti becomes a metal in theory .. But what temperature and pressure this theorized to be?

Edited February 20, 200916 yr by gre

I think you're studying this in a slightly different context to that which I am familiar with the term 'work function', so I'm not sure I can help.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest rearranging your formula in terms of W and pump whatever numbers you have available into it?

 

Bulk samples can be ionised without them becoming metallic, e.g. in a mass spectrometer or a particle accelerator.

Thanks, I tried that but the result looked wrong.. Maybe I was doing the math wrong. How could you solve for W in the above equation?

Edited March 4, 200916 yr by gre

J = A*T^2 * e^(-W/kT) [math] \Rightarrow W = - kT \log \frac{ J}{AT^2}[/math], "log" meaning the natural logarithm (often written as "ln").

Thanks Atheist.

 

I came up with 7.35 eV this time for ground state hydrogen.

---

Merged post follows:

Consecutive posts merged

How would you solve for "T" in that equation?