Free Electron Model: Success & Metallic Density of States

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the success of the free electron model in explaining the metallic density of states. It is established that the density of states for a Fermi gas is calculated as 3N/2Ef, which serves as a benchmark for evaluating the model's effectiveness. The free electron model is foundational to the Drude model, which successfully describes various properties, including Ohm's law. The conversation highlights the importance of comparing the derived density of states to empirical data to validate the model's success.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the free electron model
  • Familiarity with Fermi gas concepts
  • Knowledge of the Drude model
  • Basic principles of metallic density of states
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the empirical validation of the free electron model
  • Study the derivation of the density of states for a Fermi gas
  • Explore the implications of the Drude model on electrical conductivity
  • Investigate the limitations of the free electron model in real materials
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, materials scientists, and students studying solid-state physics who are interested in the theoretical foundations of metallic properties and the behavior of electrons in metals.

Cheetox
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Hi,
In a lot of places it states that one of the great successes of the free electron model is that it gives, more or less, the metallic density of states, I understand that if you do the maths for a fermi gas you end up with a density of states = 3N/2Ef, but to what value do we compare this answer to say that the free electron model has been a success?
cheers
 
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Cheetox said:
Hi,
In a lot of places it states that one of the great successes of the free electron model is that it gives, more or less, the metallic density of states, I understand that if you do the maths for a fermi gas you end up with a density of states = 3N/2Ef, but to what value do we compare this answer to say that the free electron model has been a success?
cheers

Your question here is a bit confusing. Are you asking about the free electron model in general, or the validity of the free electron density of states in particular? The free electron model is roughly the starting basis of the Drude model, and that produces a whole slew of properties, such as Ohm's law, that have been used successfully.

Zz.
 
yeah I'm asking more about the validity of the free electron density of states model,
cheers
 

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