Do valence electrons determine electrical conductivity?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The relationship between valence electrons and electrical conductivity is established, indicating that metals with fewer valence electrons generally exhibit higher conductivity. Specifically, metals like silver, gold, and copper, which possess a single valence electron, demonstrate superior conductivity due to lower ionization energy and minimal resistance. In contrast, materials like beryllium, with two valence electrons and a hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure, are less conductive than aluminum, which has three valence electrons and a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. Thus, both the number of valence electrons and the crystal structure significantly influence electrical conductivity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of valence electrons and their role in conductivity
  • Knowledge of crystal structures, specifically FCC and HCP
  • Familiarity with ionization energy concepts
  • Basic principles of electrical conductivity in metals
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of metals with single valence electrons, focusing on silver, gold, and copper
  • Study the impact of crystal structures on electrical conductivity, particularly FCC vs. HCP
  • Explore the behavior of semiconductors like silicon and germanium when doped or heated
  • Investigate the role of ionization energy in determining the conductivity of various materials
USEFUL FOR

Materials scientists, electrical engineers, and students studying solid-state physics or materials science will benefit from this discussion on the interplay between valence electrons and electrical conductivity.

milkism
Messages
118
Reaction score
15
TL;DR
Does lower valence electrons lead to higher electrical conductivity?
I have trouble researching whether valence-electrons take part in electrical conductivity. Some sources say that a lower amount of valence electrons lead to an higher electrical conductivity, whilst others say the opposite. And each have their different reasons, for example, lower valence electrons lead to higher electrical conductivity, because less energy is needed to move the valence electrons.

I personally think in generally how less the amount of valence electrons how greater the electrical conductivity, because the best conductors have 1 valence electron. Because it has smaller ionisation energy, which gives up electrons easier. But it's a combination of different factors like the crystal structures, with FCC structures being better in electrical conductivity.
Beryllium has two valence electrons, but it's not a better conductor than aluminium, which has three, because the crystal structure of beryllium is HCP, where aluminium's FCC. So the combination of valence-electrons and crystal structure makes aluminium a better conductor.

I would like to know if there's actually a relation between valence-electrons and electrical conductivity, and what the correct relation is.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
milkism said:
TL;DR Summary: Does lower valence electrons lead to higher electrical conductivity?

I have trouble researching whether valence-electrons take part in electrical conductivity. Some sources say that a lower amount of valence electrons lead to an higher electrical conductivity, whilst others say the opposite. And each have their different reasons, for example, lower valence electrons lead to higher electrical conductivity, because less energy is needed to move the valence electrons.

I personally think in generally how less the amount of valence electrons how greater the electrical conductivity, because the best conductors have 1 valence electron. Because it has smaller ionisation energy, which gives up electrons easier. But it's a combination of different factors like the crystal structures, with FCC structures being better in electrical conductivity.
Beryllium has two valence electrons, but it's not a better conductor than aluminium, which has three, because the crystal structure of beryllium is HCP, where aluminium's FCC. So the combination of valence-electrons and crystal structure makes aluminium a better conductor.

I would like to know if there's actually a relation between valence-electrons and electrical conductivity, and what the correct relation is.

From https://www.thoughtco.com/electrical-conductivity-in-metals-2340117

""Transfer of Energy​

The transfer of energy is strongest when there is little resistance. On a billiard table, this occurs when a ball strikes against another single ball, passing most of its energy onto the next ball. If a single ball strikes multiple other balls, each of those will carry only a fraction of the energy.By the same token, the most effective conductors of electricity are metals that have a single valence electron that is free to move and causes a strong repelling reaction in other electrons. This is the case in the most conductive metals, such as silver, gold, and copper. Each has a single valence electron that moves with little resistance and causes a strong repelling reaction.Semiconductor metals (or metalloids) have a higher number of valence electrons (usually four or more). So, although they can conduct electricity, they are inefficient at the task. However, when heated or doped with other elements, semiconductors like silicon and germanium can become extremely efficient conductors of electricity.""

my bolding
cheers
Dave
 
  • Informative
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Klystron and milkism

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
545
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K