Chapter 21, Problem 21.61SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Use the electron-sea model to explain electrical and thermal conductivity in metals.

Concept introduction:

• There are two theoretical models for bonding in metals, which are the electron-sea model and the molecular orbital theory.
• The electron-sea model , when a metal crystal is viewed as a three-dimensional array of metal cations immersed in a sea of delocalized electrons that are free to move throughout the crystal.
• Metals with one valence electron crystallize in a body-centered cubic structure where each central metal atom is surrounded by 8 neighbouring atoms.

To classify: How the electron-sea model accounts for electrical and thermal conductivity of metals.