For electron emission, metals are used because they have many free electrons. If a piece of metal is investigated at room temperature, the random motion of free electrons is as shown in Fig. 2.1. However, these electrons are free only to the extent that they may transfer from one atom to another within the metal but they cannot leave the metal surface to provide electron
emission. It is because the free electrons that start at the surface of metal find behind them positive nuclei pulling them back and none pulling forward. Thus at the surface of a metal, a free electron encounters forces that prevent it to leave the metal. In other words, the metallic surface offers a barrier to free electrons and is known as surface barrier.