Monday, November 10, 2008

Ionization Potential

The energy of the hydrogen atom in ground state is -13.6 eV. If we supply more than 13.6 eV to the hydrogen atom, the electron and the nucleus get separated and electron moves with some kinetic energy independently (Remember plasma in nuclear fusion).
The minimum energy needed to ionize an atom is called ionization energy. The potential difference through which an electron should be accelerated to acquire this much energy is called ionization potential.

Thus ionization energy of hydrogen atom in ground state is 13.6 eV and ionization potential is 13.6 V.

No comments: