Solid State Physics | electrons | thermal conduction

[heycoa]

Homework Statement

Explain why electrons carry a net energy but not a net current in the case of thermal conduction.

Homework Equations

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The Attempt at a Solution

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Please help me understand this!

 

[Simon Bridge]

Focus on the basics to start with:
What does "thermal conduction" mean in this case?
What would a "net current" involve?

 

[heycoa]

I believe thermal conduction means the transition of thermal heat via the electron gas, and net current would be the obvious: dI/dt

 

[Simon Bridge]

$dI/dt$ would be the rate of change of net current. A net current would be $I=dQ/dt$ But what does that mean in terms of the motion of electrons? Why "net" current - why not just "current"?

What does "thermal conduction" mean in terms of the motion of electrons?
Why "net" energy? Why not just say they "carry energy"?