Explanation of Energy Bands in Solids

[lotrsimp12345]

Homework Statement

What is the reason for energy bands in solids?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

because of close proximty of atoms

 

[diazona]

And the question is...?

 

[lotrsimp12345]

is that answer correct?

 

[diazona]

Not really :-/ More detail would help, I imagine.

 

[lotrsimp12345]

when 2 orbitals interact you end up with 2 different orbitals one with low energy and one with high? Would that be enough detail?

 

[lotrsimp12345]

is this correct?
An energy band is a continuous distribution of similar energy levels?

What is the reason for energy bands in solids?
The reason is there is a close proximity of many atoms which is because the energy difference becomes very small. So the energy is bundled together rather than representing indivual energy levels.

 

[diazona]

is this correct?
An energy band is a continuous distribution of similar energy levels?

Something like that... I'd phrase it like so: an energy band is a range of energies in which there are a large number of closely spaced energy levels and which is bounded above and below by "forbidden regions" with no energy levels, such that the forbidden regions are large compared to the interlevel spacing within the energy band.