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lotrsimp12345
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Homework Statement
What is the reason for energy bands in solids?
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
because of close proximty of atoms
Something like that... I'd phrase it like so: an energy band is a range of energies in which there are a large number of closely spaced energy levels and which is bounded above and below by "forbidden regions" with no energy levels, such that the forbidden regions are large compared to the interlevel spacing within the energy band.lotrsimp12345 said:is this correct?
An energy band is a continuous distribution of similar energy levels?
Energy bands in solids refer to the distribution of energy levels that electrons can occupy within a solid material. These energy levels are determined by the arrangement of atoms and their interactions with each other.
Energy bands are formed by the overlapping of atomic orbitals in a solid material. When many atoms come together, their orbitals combine to create a continuous range of energy levels.
Energy bands determine the electrical and thermal properties of materials. The size and shape of energy bands can affect a material's conductivity, magnetism, and other properties.
The valence band is the highest energy band that is completely filled with electrons in a material at absolute zero temperature. The conduction band is the next higher energy band that contains partially filled or empty energy levels, allowing for the flow of electric current.
Impurities can introduce additional energy levels within energy bands, creating defects and altering the electronic and physical properties of a material. This can either increase or decrease a material's conductivity, depending on the type and concentration of impurities.