Denny wrote:
Electrons are 'emitted' from the surface of a conductor only under
specific circumstances, such as the Photoelectric Effect, in a direct
electric arc such as an arc welder, off the hot surface of a
filament, off the cathode of an electroplating device, etc.... All of
these are mass events where the departing electrons will in time
change/erode the surface material of the emitter...

Is that because the departing electrons leave "holes"
in the conductor atoms? :-)
--
73, Cecil http://www.w5dxp.com