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PH3256 Unit 1 Two Marks Question Bank

The document provides definitions and explanations of key concepts related to free electrons, drift velocity, mobility, mean free path, relaxation time, electrical and thermal conductivity, and the Widemann-Franz law. It discusses the classical free electron theory, its applications, drawbacks, and introduces the Zone theory or Band theory of solids. Additionally, it covers factors affecting electrical resistivity, Fermi level and energy, density of states, work function, and carrier concentration in metals.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
2 views7 pages

PH3256 Unit 1 Two Marks Question Bank

The document provides definitions and explanations of key concepts related to free electrons, drift velocity, mobility, mean free path, relaxation time, electrical and thermal conductivity, and the Widemann-Franz law. It discusses the classical free electron theory, its applications, drawbacks, and introduces the Zone theory or Band theory of solids. Additionally, it covers factors affecting electrical resistivity, Fermi level and energy, density of states, work function, and carrier concentration in metals.

Uploaded by

techtalesoffl
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SHORT QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

1.What is meant by a free electron?

The electron moves freely in all directions in the absence of electric field is called
free electron (or) valance electron. These electrons collide with each other, the
collisions are perfectly elastic collisions hence there is no loss of energy. Since the
free electron is in random motion.
2. Define Drift velocity of electrons.
Drift velocity (Vd) is the average velocity acquired by an electron in a particular
direction due to applied electric field.

3. Define mobility of electrons.


The mobility is defined as the drift velocity (Vd) acquired by the free electron per
unit electric field (E)

4. Define mean free path.

The average distance travelled by an electron between two successive collisions is


called mean free path.

5. Define relaxation time.


Relaxation time is the time taken by the electron to reach equilibrium position
from its disturbed position in the presence of electric field.
6. Define electrical conductivity.
The electrical conductivity is defined as the quantity of electricity flowing per unit
area per unit time at a constant potential gradient.

7,Define Thermal Conductivity.


Thermal conductivity of material is defined as the amount of heat flowing through
an unit area per unit time of temperature gradient.

8. State Widemann-Franz law.


The ratio between the thermal conductivity (K) and electrical conductivity ( ) of a
metal is directly proportional to the absolute temperature of the metal.

9.List out the three main theories developed to describe the structure of
materials. (or) List the types of electron theory of metals.

Classical free electron theory

Quantum free electron theory

Zone (or) Band theory

10. What are the Sources of resistance in metals?

The resistance in metals is due to

Presence of impurities in the metals.

Temperature of the metal.

Number o free electrons.


11. What is the effect of temperature on metals

When temperature of the metal increases, the mobility of the electron decreases and
hence the electrical conductivity decreases. The addition of impurities in the metal
decreases the electrical conductivity.

12. What are the uses (or) success of classical free electron theory?
It is used to verify the Ohm’s law.

It is used to explain electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of metals.

It is used to derive Widemann-Franz law.

3. It is used to explain the optical properties of metal.

13.What are the drawbacks of classical free electron theory? (or) State any four
demerits of Classical free electron theory?
It is a macroscopic theory.

According to classical free electron theory, all the free electrons will absorb
energy, but the quantum free electron theory states that only few electrons will
absorb energy.

This theory cannot explain the Compton effect, Photo-electric effect, para-
magnetism and ferromagnetism, etc.,

This theory cannot explain the electron conductivity of semiconductors and


insulators.

Dual nature of light radiation cannot be explained.

The theoretical and experimental values of specific heat and electronic


specific heat are not matched.
The Lorentz number obtained by classical theory does not have good
agreement with experimental value and it is rectified by quantum theory.
14. What is Lorentz Number?

It is found that the classical value of Lorentz number is only one half of the
experimental value (2.44 × 10–8 W K–2). The discrepancy of L value is the failure
of the classical theory. This can be rectified by quantum theory.

15.What is the basic assumption of Zone theory or Band theory of solids?

According to quantum free electron theory, the electrons in a metal were assumed
to be moving in a region of constant potential but it fails to explain, why some
solids behave as conductors, some as insulators and some as semiconductors.

Therefore instead of considering an electron to move in a constant potential, the


Zone theory of solids tells that the electrons are assumed to move in a field of
periodic potential.

16.Distinguish between Electrical conductivity and Thermal conductivity.


Electrical conductivity
The electical conductivity is defined as the quantity of electricity flowing per unit
area per unit time at a constant potential gratient.
Electrical conductivity is purely depend on free electrons.
Conduction of electricity takes place from higher potential end to lower potential
end.

Thermal conductivity
Thermal conductivity is defined as the amount of heat flowing through an unit area
per unit time of temperature gratient.
Thermal conductivity is due to both free electrons and photons.
Conduction of heat takes place from hot end to cold end.

17.What are the similarities between electrical and thermal conductivity of


metals?

The electrical and thermal conductivities decrease with the increase in


temperature and impurities.

The electrical and thermal conductivity is very high at low temperatures.

For non-metals the electrical and thermal conductivity is very less.

18. Distinguish between relaxation time and collision time.

19. Write microscopic form of Ohm’s law and state whether it is true for all
temperature.
Microscopically we can write V = IR as J = E
Since the resistivity varies with respect to the temperature, the microscopic form of
ohm’s law is not true for all the temperature.
20. What are the factors that affect the electrical resistivity of materials?
1. Temperature
2. Impurities
3. Inperfections
4. Magnetic field
5. Pressure and strain.

21. Define Fermi level, Fermi energy and this importance.


Fermi level : The Fermi level is the highest reference energy level of a particle
at absolute zero.
Importance : It is the reference energy level which separates the filled energy
level and vacant energy levels.
Fermi energy: It is the maximum energy of the quantum state corresponding to
Fermi energy level at absolute zero.
Importance : Fermi energy determines the energy of the particle at any
temperature.

22. Define Fermi Distribution function.


It is an expression for the distribution of electrons among the energy levels as a
function of temperature and it is the probability of finding an electron in particular
energy state of energy E is given by,

23.Define density of states and its importance.


Density of states is defined the as the number of energy states per unit volume in
an energy interval of a metal. It is use to calculate the number of charge carriers
per unit volume of any solid.1exp E E

Importance : It is used for the Fermi energy calculation at any temperature.

24.Define work function

It is define as the minimum energy required to remove an electron from the metal
surface at 0K. in order to make it escape, an additional amount of energy equal to is
required. i.e., .This difference in energy is called Work function.
25.What do you mean by carrier concentration in metal?
In metal carrier concentration is number of free electrons per unit volume in
between the energy interval 0 to it is given by
Carrier concentration N D (E) F(E) dE

26. How classical free electron theory failed to account for specific heat of solid?
According to classical free electron theory, the experimental and theoretical
value of specific heat of solid are not matched. Hence classical free electron
theory is failed.

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