Planck's Vision

How to understand Electrons

1. Metals are regular 3D array of positive nuclei (example Mg++ nuclei)
2. Electrons(example e- and e- from the Mg++) swim around the nuclei

2.1 Here is a realistic picture of electrons swimming around a metal, They are not "classical electrons" but actually give bulk to the metal (dont worry until you do Quantum Mechanics at UNI)

3. Electrons are like trout in a tank, the walls are like the WORK FUNCTION

4. There are three ways to get electrons out of a metal

4.1 Fire an ion from a low pressure gas (throw a rock in the trout pond and trout will jump out)

4.2 Heat up the metal called THERMIONIC EMISSION (Heat it up Elmo?)

4.3 Hit out the electrons with UV light PHOTOELECTRIC effect (Laser)