Question

Describe two characteristics of the binding energy that are comparable to the work function (from the photoelectric effect) and two characteristics that are dissimilar to the concept of the work function. Multiple Choice!

A) Binding energy measures how difficult it is to break the nucleus into its constituent "pieces", similar as the work function measures the difficulty in removing an electron from the surface of a conductor. Also, the binding energy is different for different isotopes, similar as the work function is tabulated for different conductors. The work function is usually a few eV (maybe ~10 eV at the maximum) while the binding energy in the nucleus is on the order of MeV. The work function is measured empirically, whereas for the binding energy we can use Einstein's equation (E = ?mc²) to calculate the expected values.

B) The work function and the binding energy are on the order of MeV. The work function and binding energy use Einstein's equation (E = ?mc²) to calculate the expected values. Binding energy measures how difficult it is to break the nucleus into its constituent "pieces", whereas the work function measures the difficulty in adding an electron from the surface of a conductor. Also, the binding energy is similar for different isotopes, whereas the work function is tabulated for different conductors.    

C) Binding energy measures how difficult it is to break the nucleus into its constituent "pieces", similar as the work function measures the difficulty in removing an electron from the surface of a conductor. Also, the work function and binding energy use Einstein's equation (E = ?mc²) to calculate the expected values. The work function is usually a few eV (maybe ~10 eV at the maximum) while the binding energy in the nucleus is on the order of MeV. Also, the binding energy is similar for different isotopes, whereas the work function is tabulated for different conductors.

D) The binding energy is different for different isotopes, similar as the work function is tabulated for different conductors. The work function and the binding energy are on the order of MeV. The work function is measured empirically, whereas for the binding energy we can use Einstein's equation (E = ?mc²) to calculate the expected values. Binding energy measures how difficult it is to break the nucleus into its constituent "pieces", whereas the work function measures the difficulty in adding an electron from the surface of a conductor.

Answer 1

(A)Binding energy measures how difficult it is to break the nucleus into its constituent "pieces", similar as the work function measures the difficulty in removing an electron from the surface of a conductor. Also, the binding energy is different for different isotopes, similar as the work function is tabulated for different conductors. The work function is usually a few eV (maybe ~10 eV at the maximum) while the binding energy in the nucleus is on the order of MeV. The work function is measured empirically, whereas for the binding energy we can use Einstein's equation (E = ?mc2) to calculate the expected values.