The classical free-electron theory of metals is inadequate in that it
A)assumes the average energy of the electrons to be 3kT/2.
B)assumes the energy distribution to be a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution.
C)fails to incorporate the exclusion principle.
D)assumes the applicability of the equipartition theorem.
E)incorporates all of these.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The classical free-electron theory of metals is considered inadequate because it assumes the average energy of the electrons to be 3kT/2, assumes the energy distribution to be a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, fails to incorporate the exclusion principle, and assumes the applicability of the equipartition theorem. All of these assumptions lead to inaccuracies in describing the behavior of electrons in metals, which is why more advanced models, like the quantum mechanical model, have been developed.

The Classical Free-Electron Theory of Metals Is Inadequate in That