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Formation of a Gas Layer on a Silver Surface
Phys. Rev. 60, 458 – Published 15 September, 1941
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.60.458
Abstract
The results of Farnsworth and Winch on the change with time of the photoelectric work function of a freshly deposited silver surface are interpreted in terms of the adsorption of a gas layer. The relatively small over-all change in the work function and the slow rate at which it approaches its final value lead to the conclusion that the adsorbed particles form a mobile molecular film. The variation in the adsorption rate, deduced from the experimental data, agrees with Langmuir's theory of odd and even phases of the adsorbed particles. The theory permits an estimate to be made of the surface mobility of the molecules, the result being that the average time spent by a molecule before moving to an adjacent adsorption site is about 30 minutes. Comparison of the initial adsorption rate with the rate of arrival of the molecules at the surface indicates that a large fraction of the incident molecules is reflected. The experimental technique of Farnsworth and Winch seems to be well suited for further study of the kinetics of adsorption on clean metal surfaces at room temperature.
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