Do Electrons Change Location as Temperature Approaches 0K?

AI Thread Summary
As temperature approaches 0K, free electrons do not exhibit a preference for specific locations, as their positions depend on initial conditions and velocities. In contrast, bound electrons within a potential tend to be found closer to the potential minimum at absolute zero. This distinction highlights the differing behaviors of free versus bound electrons in relation to temperature changes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for studying electron behavior in various materials. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the system being analyzed when considering electron location at low temperatures.
SD das
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Do electrons become more likely to be found in certain places as the temperature approaches 0K?
 
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Free electrons? Electrons in solids?
 
DrClaude said:
Free electrons? Electrons in solids?
Yepp?
 
SD das said:
Yepp?
I was asking for a clarification of which system you are thinking about.
 
DrClaude said:
I was asking for a clarification of which system you are thinking about.
Free electrons
 
If they are completely free there is no reason for them to be in some particular place - their location will just depend on where you put them and their velocities.

If you have bound electrons in some potential, at 0 K in general they are more likely to be closer to a minimum of the potential.
 
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