work function

noun

1. Physics.,  the least energy necessary to free an electron from a metal surface.

2. Thermodynamics.,  Helmholtz function.

work function

noun

1. φ.  Φ. physics the minimum energy required to transfer an electron from a point within a solid to a point just outside its surface

2. thermodynamics another name (not now used because of confusion with sense 1) for Helmholtz function