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ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE [1 record]

Record 1 1986-10-28

English

Subject field(s)
  • Electrostatics
CONT

When two dissimilar metals are brought into contact, they give rise to an electrostatic potential difference equal to the difference of the work functions of the two metals (the Volta potential). At the interface of the metal couple, a bipolar electronic layer is established which attracts or repels mobile electrons, depending on the direction of the current flow.

OBS

The work function corresponds to the energy an electron must acquire in order to leave a solid.

Key term(s)
  • electrostatic potential difference

French

Domaine(s)
  • Électrostatique
Key term(s)
  • différence de potentiel électrostatique

Spanish

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