UNIT 2

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES AND CONDUCTING MATERIALS

Mechanism of electrical conduction, electron theories of solids, free electron theory, Factors
affecting electrical conductivity, Wiedemana- Franz law, Lorentz number, thermoelectric
properties, characteristics, properties and examples of high voltage conducting materials,
high and low resistance materials. Contact fuse and filament materials. Conductors, cable &
wire materials. Solder, sheathing, and sealing materials. Electrical properties of these materials.
Related calculations.
 Electron Theories of Solids

Mechanism of conduction in solids.

• Drude-Lorentz

• Free electron theories

 Free electron theories
Electrons in the outer most orbit are free to move throughout the solid. These free
electrons are known as Fermi gas or electron cloud, and their potential field remains
uniform throughout the solid due to the ion cores.

Assumption

Total energy

De-Broglie’s Wavelength

Wave number
Kinetic Energy in Terms of Wave Number

Relation between the kinetic energy and wave

number k of a free electron (free electron theory
where potential energy is assumed constant).
KE in terms of length of solid

Energy Equation for 3-Dimensional Solid

Mechanism of Conduction by Free Electrons

Redistribution of energy field

Drift Velocity and Collision Time
An electron of mass m and charge e undergoes an acceleration a due to the
applied field gradient

The accelerated electrons collide with obstacles at successive

interval of time t called collision time.

Real case Idealized case

Accelerated movement of electrons under an applied field
Current density is the flux caused due to the flow of n number of free electrons

Conductivity- flux per unit potential gradient

Electrical resistivity of a conductor

Electrical Resistance
Mean Free Path
The average distance travelled by an electron between two successive collisions is called
mean free path
Effect of Temperature on Mean Free Path

Effect of temperature on the conductivity of pure copper and its alloy with nickel.
Characteristics of a Good Conductor
• high electrical and thermal conductivity
• high melting point
• good oxidation resistance
• low cost
• good wear and abrasion resistance
• better mechanical properties.

Factors Affecting Conductivity (and Resistivity) of Metals

1. Temperature,
2. Impurities, and
3. Plastic deformation
Temperature Effect on Conductivity
The variation of resistance with temperature in a material can be expressed as

The variation of resistivity with temperature