- #1
apb86
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Hello!
I've just started reading about quantum mechanics, so my question may sound silly.
I'm using the book of physics of Paul Tipler. It's says that inside the metals we have a lot of free electrons, like a electrons cloud (like when we learn in the School). These electrons follow the Fermi-Dirac distribution, in which the electrons occupy the energy levels from the lower to the higher ones.
OK, my doubt is:
If these electrons are "free", I understand that they are not bounded to any nucleus (protons). If they are not bounded, how can we establish energy levels. The levels are related to the particle's potential energy, isn't it? But if we don't have the force field crated by the electrostatic force of the protons (Coulomb Law), how can we establish potential energy levels?
Thanks
Alexandre
I've just started reading about quantum mechanics, so my question may sound silly.
I'm using the book of physics of Paul Tipler. It's says that inside the metals we have a lot of free electrons, like a electrons cloud (like when we learn in the School). These electrons follow the Fermi-Dirac distribution, in which the electrons occupy the energy levels from the lower to the higher ones.
OK, my doubt is:
If these electrons are "free", I understand that they are not bounded to any nucleus (protons). If they are not bounded, how can we establish energy levels. The levels are related to the particle's potential energy, isn't it? But if we don't have the force field crated by the electrostatic force of the protons (Coulomb Law), how can we establish potential energy levels?
Thanks
Alexandre