Solid State Physics

UNIT – 5 (Solid State Physics)
(Engineering Physics)
Free electron theory
üFree electron theory is proposed to explain the properties of solid

material like electrical and thermal conductivity etc..
üFree electron theory is developed by Drude & Lorentz in 1900.

According to this theory, a metal consists of electrons (valence
electron) which are free to move in the crystal like molecules of a
gas in a container.
Free electron theory
Valence electron ü A valence electron is an outer shell electron that
is associated with an atom. Rest electron are
known as core electrons.
= +
ü Metal crystal contains positive ion and free
electron (valence electron).
q Sea of floating free electron (Valence electron)
q Not attached to any atom
q Free to move like a gas molecule of a perfect gas

Postulates (Free electron theory)
ü The valence electrons of metallic atoms are free to move about the whole volume of
the metals like the molecules of a gas in a container. The collection of valence
electrons from all the atoms in a given piece of metal forms electron gas. It is free to
move throughout the volume of the metal.
ü These free electrons move in random directions and make collisions with either
positive ions fixed in the lattice or other free electrons. All the collisions are elastic
i.e., there is no loss of energy.
ü The movements of free electrons obey the laws of the classical kinetic theory of gas.
ü The velocities of free electrons in a metal obey the classical Maxwell-Boltzmann law
of distribution of velocities
Diffusion Current
v Diffusion is the movement of a substance from an area of high
concentration to an area of low concentration.
v Diffusion current is a current caused by the diffusion of charge carriers.
- diffusion current is due to the concentration gradient
- without biasing current in pn junction is diffusion current
Drift Current
v The flow of charge carriers, which is due to the applied voltage or electric field is
called drift current.
v Electrons (negatively charged particle) & holes (positively charged particle) are
attracted towards the positive terminal of a battery and negative terminal
respectively.
+ -
!
Relationship between current, drift velocity & current density
Mean free path (λ):
v The average distance travelled by a free electron between any two successive
collisions in the presence of an applied electric field is known as mean free path. It is
the product of drift velocity vd of free electron and collision time ιc.
Collision time (ι):

v The average time taken by a free electron between any two successive collisions is
known as collision time. It is expressed mathematically as ιc = λ / vd
Relaxation time (ιr):

v The average time taken by a free electron to reach its equilibrium position from its
disturbed position due to the application of an external electrical field is called
relaxation time. It is approximately equal to 10-14 second.
Expression for conductivity from free electron theory
The measurement of how easily an
electron can move through a solid under
the influence of an external electric field
is known as electron mobility
Wiedemann-Franz law
ü Wiedemann–Franz law describes the relationship between the electrical

conductivity and thermal conductivity of a metal. It quantifies the idea that
metals that are good electrical conductors are also good thermal conductors.
According to Wiedemann–Franz law
Success (Free electron theory)
ü It was able to explain the properties of metals such as Electrical and thermal
conductivity.
ü Ohm’s law
ü Wiedemann-Franz law (relationship between electric and thermal conductivity)
ü Optical properties of metals like high luster.
Failure (Free electron theory)
üIt could not explained the difference between conductors, insulators

and semiconductors
üIt is found that divalent and trivalent metals are not good conductors
even though the theory say the conductivity is proportional to the free
electron concentration. Rather monovalent metals Cu, Ag, Au, etc are
good conductors.
ü It fails to explain the concept of specific heat of metals.
üIt is failed to explain photoelectric effect, Compton Effect, Para
magnetism, ferromagnetism and black body radiation
Quantum Free electron theory
Assumptions (Postulates) of Quantum free electron theory

1. The electrons move in a constant potential inside the metal.
2. The energies of free electrons are quantized.
3. Electrons have wave nature, the velocity and energy distribution of
the electron is given by Fermi-Dirac distribution function.
4. Electron’s distributed in various energy levels according to Pauli
Exclusion Principle.
Merits of quantum free electron theory
1. It explains temperature dependence of conductivity of metals.
2. It explains the specific heat of metals.
3. It explains magnetic susceptibility of metals.
Demerits of quantum free electron theory

1. This theory fails to distinguish between metal, semiconductor and Insulator.
2. It also fails to explain the positive value of Hall Co-efficient.

Solid State Physics

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UNIT – 5 (Solid State Physics)

üFree electron theory is proposed to explain the properties of solid

üFree electron theory is developed by Drude & Lorentz in 1900.

q Sea of floating free electron (Valence electron)

q Not attached to any atom

q Free to move like a gas molecule of a perfect gas

Collision time (ι):

Relaxation time (ιr):

ü Wiedemann–Franz law describes the relationship between the electrical

üIt could not explained the difference between conductors, insulators

Assumptions (Postulates) of Quantum free electron theory

Demerits of quantum free electron theory

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