Debye's T^3 Law: Specific heat, Latice and Electronic terms

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around Debye's T^3 Law in the context of specific heat, focusing on the contributions from lattice and electronic terms. Participants are examining the temperature dependence of specific heat and its implications in solid-state physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the specific heat expression and questions the temperature dependence of specific heat. They express uncertainty regarding the extraction of lattice and electronic contributions. Other participants inquire about specific parts of the problem and suggest methods for interpreting the graph related to electronic contributions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, sharing insights about the electronic contribution to specific heat and discussing the interpretation of graphs. There is a mix of attempts to clarify concepts and explore different aspects of the problem without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of limited resources available in the university library, which may affect the depth of research participants can conduct. The original poster also notes the absence of a linear term in the specific heat, indicating a specific condition being analyzed.

12x4
Messages
28
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



QUESTION ADDED AS ATTACHMENT AS NEED TO SEE GRAPH.
Screen Shot 2015-05-06 at 11.59.52.png

Homework Equations


C = (12NkBπ4/5)(T/θD)3 for T<<θD
C = 3NkB for T>>θD

The Attempt at a Solution


a.)[/B] So I assume the expression for the specific heat as a function of temperature that the question must want:
C = (12NkBπ4/5)(T/θD)3
otherwise I thought that the specific heat wasn't dependent on temperature?

The second part of this question really stumped me. I have looked though all of the books in my university library that aren't currently on loan, of which few relevant ones are left for some reason, and can't find anything that helps me extract lattice and electronic terms in the specific heat. Does anyone have any Ideas?

EDIT: Just found something that shows the electronic contribution:
Ce = (π2/3)g(EFkb2T = γT

Therefore the electronic contribution = γ = (π2/3)(3NA/2EF)kB2

Still not sure on the lattice part.
\EDITb.) I think I can do.

c.) The low temperature heat capacity for KCl plotted as to demonstrate the T3 law at low temperatures. The fact that the graph of C/T vs T2 goes through the origin indicates the absence of a term linear in T. I.e there is no contribution to the energy via conduction electrons.

Am I along the right lines here?
 
Last edited:
how did you do part b?
 
γ is taken as the y intercept on the graph. Then rearrange the electronic contribution formula for EF.
 
also the lattice term is just C for low temperature, so the term you have written for C
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
11K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
11K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K