Electrical & thermal conductivities

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    Electrical Thermal
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the correlation between electrical and thermal conductivities in metals, exploring the underlying mechanisms and empirical laws that describe this relationship. Participants engage in a technical examination of the Wiedemann-Franz law and its implications for understanding electron transport in metals.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the basic mechanisms that explain the correlation between electrical and thermal conductivities in metals.
  • One participant references the Wiedemann-Franz law, suggesting it is an empirical fact rather than a mechanism.
  • Another participant asserts that the relationship is fundamentally based on the movement of free electrons in the metal.
  • There is a contention regarding whether the presence of free electrons is sufficient to explain the correlation or if more complex models are necessary.
  • One participant emphasizes that the correlation is ultimately due to the presence of free electrons, arguing against the need for more complicated explanations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the sufficiency of the free electron model to explain the correlation, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the distinction between empirical laws and underlying mechanisms, suggesting that the discussion may be limited by differing interpretations of these concepts.

bentzy
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TL;DR
What's the mechanism underlying the correlation between electrical & thermal conductivities in metals ?
What's the mechanism underlying the correlation between electrical & thermal conductivities in metals ?
 
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Wiedemann-Franz law is not the mechanism, but, rather, an empirical fact. An empirical law doesn't explain a phenomenon on its basic mechanism/s, but just gives the relation between variables. In other words, it is the result of, not its cause.
 
The relationship is based upon the fact that heat and electrical transport both involve the free electrons in the metal.
 
Right. Both are based on the motion of (nearly) free electrons (mostly). This is of course known. My question aims at the deeper level of the mechanism itself, which make up the overall picture of transport.
 
The fact that the electrons are free to move IS the mechanism in this case(!)
Of course you can use more realistic (and complicated) models for the transport; but ultimately the correlation is due to the presence of free electrons; it is not more complicated than that.
 
bentzy said:
An empirical law doesn't explain a phenomenon on its basic mechanism/s, but just gives the relation between variables.
Good thing Wikipedia has that "Derivation" tab to let you know where the law comes from.
 

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