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Electrical Conductivity

Free electron theory explains several properties of solids: 1. Electrical conductivity occurs as electrons move freely through solids. The current density J is directly proportional to the applied electric field E. 2. Ohm's law is demonstrated by the proportional relationship between current J and applied field E. 3. Thermal conductivity K is inversely proportional to the number density n of free electrons and proportional to their mean free path λ and velocity v. 4. The Wiedemann-Franz relation shows that for good conductors, the ratio of thermal conductivity K to electrical conductivity σ is directly proportional to temperature T.

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Sambhavi Mishra
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293 views3 pages

Electrical Conductivity

Free electron theory explains several properties of solids: 1. Electrical conductivity occurs as electrons move freely through solids. The current density J is directly proportional to the applied electric field E. 2. Ohm's law is demonstrated by the proportional relationship between current J and applied field E. 3. Thermal conductivity K is inversely proportional to the number density n of free electrons and proportional to their mean free path λ and velocity v. 4. The Wiedemann-Franz relation shows that for good conductors, the ratio of thermal conductivity K to electrical conductivity σ is directly proportional to temperature T.

Uploaded by

Sambhavi Mishra
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© © All Rights Reserved
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On the basis of free electron theory following properties of solids have been explained.

1. Electrical Conductivity:

Electrical conductivity is defined as the quantity of electricity that flows in unit area of
cross- section of the conductor per unit potential gradient. According to free electron theory,
in a solid the electrons move freely. If E is the applied electric field, then the acceleration of
𝑑2 𝑥 𝑒𝐸
an electron having charge is given by 𝑎 = = (1)
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑚

If λ is the mean free path of electron, then the relaxation time τ between two successive
𝜆
collisions s given by 𝜏 = 𝑣 (2)

Integrating Equation 1, we get


𝑑𝑥 𝑒𝐸
= 𝑡+𝐶
𝑑𝑡 𝑚

𝑑𝑥
At 𝑡 = 0, =0
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑥 𝑒𝐸
Hence = 𝑡=𝑣
𝑑𝑡 𝑚

So average velocity between two successive collisions

1 𝜏 𝑒𝐸 𝑒𝐸 𝜏
𝑣̅ = ∫ 𝑡𝑑𝑡 = ∫ 𝑡𝑑𝑡
𝜏 0 𝑚 𝜏𝑚 0

𝑒𝐸 𝜏 2 𝑒𝐸𝜏
𝑣̅ = =
𝜏𝑚 2 𝑚
Using equation 2

𝑒𝐸𝜆
𝑣̅ =
2𝑚𝑣
1 3
Since 2 𝑚𝑣 2 = 2 𝑘𝑇 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑇 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒, 𝑘 𝑖𝑠𝐵𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑧𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

3𝑘𝑇
So 𝑚𝑣 = 𝑣

Then
𝑒𝐸𝜆 𝑒𝐸𝜆𝑣
𝑣̅ = =
2𝑚𝑣 6𝑘𝑇
If n is number desity of electrons in the conductor, then the current density 𝐽 is given by

𝐽 = 𝑛𝑒𝑣

𝑛𝑒 2 𝐸𝜆𝑣
𝐽= (3)
6𝑘𝑇
If q charge is flowing through a conductor of cross- section area A in time t, then

𝑞 = 𝜎𝐴𝐸𝑡
𝑞
= 𝜎𝐴𝐸 = 𝐽
𝑡
𝐽
𝜎=
𝐴𝐸

and for unit area A ,

𝐽 𝑛𝑒 2 𝜆𝑣
𝜎= =
𝐸 6𝑘𝑇

Electrical conductivities of materials are due to different number of free electrons

2. Ohm’s Law

From equation 3 we have

𝑛𝑒 2 𝐸𝜆𝑣
𝐽=
6𝑘𝑇
𝐽∞𝐸

This shows that current is proportional to the applied field which is Ohm’s law.

3. Thermal Conductivity

If A temperature gradient exists across the specimen( metals or conducting material),


transport of thermal energy takes place due to this gradient known as thermal conductivity
1
and given 𝐾 = 𝑛𝑣𝜆𝑘
2

Where λ= mean free path, 𝑣 = velocity of electron, n = number density of free electrons and 𝑘
is Boltzman constant

4. Wiedemann – Franz relation

Wiedmann and Franz in 1853 discovered that all good conductors are also good thermal
conductors and the ratio of thermal conductivity to the electrical conductivity at any
temperature ( but not at low temperature) is constant for all metals.

𝐾
= 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝜎

Using equation 4 and 6 , we get


1
𝐾 𝑛𝑣𝜆𝑘
= 2 2
𝜎 𝑛𝑒 𝜆𝑣
6𝑘𝑇

𝐾 𝑘 2
= 3( ) 𝑇
𝜎 𝑒
Or
𝐾
∞𝑇
𝜎

This is Wiedemann – Franz relation.

5. Luster and Opacity of metals

When electromagnetic radiations fall on a metal, it produces forced oscillations in the free
electrons having the same velocity as that of electromagnetic radiations. Thus the energy of
incident radiations is absorbed by free electrons and the metal appears opaque. The excited
electrons on returning to its initial state emit photons having the same energy as is absorbed
initially. This energy is given out in the form of visible light in all directions, but only the
light rays directed towards the metal surface can get through. Hence the metal appears to
reflect virtually all the light that is incident on it, giving the characteristic metallic luster.

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