The classical theory of conduction
A)fails because electrons are not classical particles.
B)does not take into account the scattering of electron waves by a lattice.
C)fails to correctly describe the collision of an electron with a lattice ion.
D)predicts a Maxwell-Boltzmann-like distribution of electron velocities.
E)is described by all of these.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The classical theory of conduction fails for several reasons: it does not account for the quantum nature of electrons, neglects the wave-like behavior of electrons and their scattering by the lattice, inaccurately describes electron-lattice ion collisions, and incorrectly applies a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution to electron velocities.

The Classical Theory of Conduction