We have developed a method to measure simultaneously the internal energy of bulk and the first layer atoms of a crystal. The internal energy of bulk and the surface atoms of lithium (110) have been evaluated from 22 K up to above the melting transition, applying the Debye model to the thermal broadening of the respective 1s photoemission lines. Our measurements clearly reveal two phase changes: the known liquid to solid transition and the surface melting, occurring 50 K below the bulk melting point.
