I What is the Meaning of the Fermi Energy?

Click For Summary
Fermi energy (Ef) represents the energy of the highest occupied level in a ground state N electron system. In the ground state, which corresponds to the n=1 level, only one orbital is available, accommodating a maximum of two electrons. This implies that the Fermi energy reflects the energy of one of these two electrons in the n=1 state. The discussion highlights that the ground state configuration is specifically applicable to hydrogen and helium. Understanding Fermi energy is crucial for grasping the electronic structure of these simple atoms.
chikchok
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
Is fermi energy is the energy of one of the two electrons located in the state n=1?
The Fermi energy Ef is defined as the energy of the topmost filled level in the ground state of the N electron system. Ground state is n=1 level. And in the ground state there can be only one orbital right? One orbital can have only up to 2 electrons. Does this mean that fermy energy is the energy of one of the two electrons located in this orbital (in n=1 state)?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The ground state is only n=1 for hydrogen and helium
 
Quick question that I haven't been able to find the answer to. Greenhouse gasses both warm and cool the atmosphere by slowing heat loss to space. But what would happen without GHGs? I read that the earth would be colder (though still relatively warm), but why? Without GHGs the atmosphere would still be a similar mass and still warmed by conduction from the surface, yet without a means to radiate that heat to space. Why wouldn't the atmosphere accumulate heat over time, becoming warmer? How...