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Free Electron Gas Model (DRUDE-LORENTZ'S Classical Theory)

The free electron theory proposed by Drude and Lorentz explains many physical properties of metals by treating electrons in metals as a free electron gas that behaves similarly to molecules in a classical ideal gas. This theory suggests that metal crystals contain stationary positive ion cores surrounded by delocalized electrons that move freely among the ions. While this classical model can explain properties like electrical and thermal conductivity at room temperature, it fails to account for behaviors at low and high temperatures and phenomena like paramagnetism and superconductivity.

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Sambhavi Mishra
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295 views2 pages

Free Electron Gas Model (DRUDE-LORENTZ'S Classical Theory)

The free electron theory proposed by Drude and Lorentz explains many physical properties of metals by treating electrons in metals as a free electron gas that behaves similarly to molecules in a classical ideal gas. This theory suggests that metal crystals contain stationary positive ion cores surrounded by delocalized electrons that move freely among the ions. While this classical model can explain properties like electrical and thermal conductivity at room temperature, it fails to account for behaviors at low and high temperatures and phenomena like paramagnetism and superconductivity.

Uploaded by

Sambhavi Mishra
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© © All Rights Reserved
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A number of physical properties of metals like thermal conductivity , electrical conductivity

specific heat, magnetic susceptibility etc. can be explained on the basis of free electron
theory. This theory was first proposed by Drude and Lorentz by applying classical laws of
physics.

Free Electron Gas Model ( DRUDE- LORENTZ’S Classical Theory)

1. Drude in 1900 suggested that the metal crystals consist of positive ion cores with
their valence electrons free to move among these positive metal ions (cores).
2. The Coulomb’s force of attraction between these positive ion and negatively charged
electrons do not allow these free electrons to leave the metal surface.
1. The potential field due to these ion cores is supposed to be uniform and hence
potential energy of electrons may be taken as constant, which is taken to be zero for
convenience. Hence we have to deal only with the kinetic energy of the electrons.
2. In thermal equilibrium the free electrons behaves like molecules of perfect gas and
obey Maxwell Boltzman statistics
3. Free electrons are considered to move randomly within the metal .

4. Mutual repulsion of electrons is ignored like the molecules of a perfect gas.

5. The electrons are considered to collide elastically with positive ions and also among
themselves.

6. In the absence of electric field , there is no net motion of electrons and hence , net
current density is zero

7. The difference in conductivities of different metals is considered only due to


differences in the number of free electrons.

It has been suggested that the free electrons on the metal behave like those of atoms or
molecules in a perfect gas. Hence, these electrons are also called as free electron gas or
Fermi gas or free electron cloud. In 1909, Lorentz suggested that this free electron gas like
perfect gas obeys Maxwll- Boltzman statistics . Hence the classical theory is also known as
Drude- Lorentz theory

Differences of free electron gas or Fermi gas from ordinary Gas

(1) Fermi gas is constituted by electrons which are charged particles while the atoms or
molecules which constitutes ordinary gas are neutral.
(2) The concentration of electron in Fermi gas is very large 1029 per m3 as compared with
concentration of atoms or molecules of ordinary gas is 1025 per m3.
Drude – Lorentz theory based upon classical ideas of Kinetic theory of gases, explained
the following properties of metals:

(1) Ohm’s law


(2) Electrical Conductivity of the metals
(3) Thermal conductivity of the metals appreciably.
(4) Wiedemann – Franz relation
(5) Luster and Opacity of the metals are roughly explained
(6) Resistivity of metals at room temperature.

Limitations Of Classical Theory ( Free Electron Gas Theory)

(1) This theory could not explain resistivity of metals at very low and very high
temperatures.
(2) This theory fails to explain the heat capacity of metals.
(3) Paramagnetism of metals could not be explained by this theory as it does not consider
spin if the particles.
(4) This theory is also unable to explain the occurrence of long mean free paths in the
metals at low temperatures
(5) The phenomenon of superconductivity could not be explained by this theory.
(6) The properties of semiconductors could not be explained on the basis of Drude’s
theory.
(7) It could not explain why some solids behave as good conductors while the others as
insulators.
(8) Wiedmann – Franz law is not obeyed at low temperature.

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