Estimating the average time between collisions (electrons in Cu solid)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on estimating the average time between collisions, denoted as \(\tau\), for electrons in a copper (Cu) solid at room temperature (300K). The thermal conductivity of Cu is given as 400 W/(mK), and the relationship \(\tau = \frac{3 \kappa }{C_e \overline v ^2}\) is utilized, where \(C_e\) is the specific heat per volume unit and \(\overline v\) is the average velocity of electrons. The calculated electron density \(n\) is determined to be \(1.25 \times 10^{29} m^{-3}\), leading to an estimated \(\tau\) of approximately \(3.40 \times 10^{-14}s\), which is comparable to the electrical conductivity estimate of \(\tau \approx 2 \times 10^{-14}s\).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermal conductivity and its units (W/(mK))
  • Familiarity with the kinetic theory of gases, specifically average velocity calculations
  • Knowledge of specific heat capacity and its relation to electron density
  • Basic algebra and manipulation of physical equations
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  • Research the derivation of the equation \(\tau = \frac{3 \kappa }{C_e \overline v ^2}\)
  • Learn about the relationship between electron density and specific heat in metals
  • Explore the implications of thermal and electrical conductivity in solid-state physics
  • Investigate the methods for calculating average velocities of electrons in different materials
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Students and professionals in physics, materials science, and electrical engineering who are involved in the study of electron behavior in conductive materials, particularly in relation to thermal and electrical properties of metals like copper.

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Homework Statement


The thermal conductivity of Cu at room temperature is 400 W/(mK). Use this value to determine the average time between collisions, [itex]\tau[/itex]. Compare this value with the electrical conductivity.

Homework Equations


Not sure. I take T=300K for room temperature.
From a book and with little algebra, [itex]\tau = \frac{3 \kappa }{C_e \overline v ^2}[/itex]. Where [itex]C_e=nc[/itex], the specific heat of the electrons per volume unit. [itex]\overline v =<v^2>[/itex].
Also, [itex]<v^2>=\frac{3K_BT}{m_e}[/itex] and apparently [itex]C=\frac{3}{2}n k_B[/itex](they do not state what n is, but I think it's the electronic density because they said that c is the specific heat per electron)

The Attempt at a Solution


Using only the given data, I do not see a clear way to solve the problem, it seems like a data is missing (for example the electron density). Am I missing a way to solve the problem?

If I had "n", I'd be done, because [itex]\tau = \frac{2\kappa m_e }{3nk_B^2T}[/itex] and everything is known but n.
I guess I'm missing something obvious, yet I don't see it. Thanks for any help.
 
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Well I used an extra datum, namely that the distance between atoms is worth 0.2 nm. I could calculate the electron density n to be worth [itex]1.25 \times 10 ^{29} m^{-3}[/itex], which gave me [itex]\tau \approx 3.40 \times 10 ^{-14}s[/itex].
With the electrical conductivity the result is about [itex]\tau \approx 2 \times 10 ^{-14}s[/itex].
So they are about the same order of magnitude but not exactly the same.
 

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