Mobility and Conductivity

By
Last updated:

According to classical free electron theory the electrons in a metal make random elastic collisions in all directions and the net current is zero.

  • When a constant electric field is applied to the metal, the electrons are accelerated towards the positive of the field.
  • During their movement, the random collisions are produced and it has attained a drift velocity Vd in the opposite direction of the applied electric field. The electrons move with an average velocity is called drift velocity.
  • Drift velocity Vd is proportional to the applied electric field E.

i.e   V∞ E

        V= μ E

  • Where μ is called mobility of the electrons.
Mobility is defined as the drift velocity gained by the electron per unit electric field. μ = V/ E, m2 V-1 s-1 
  • The steady state drift velocity of the electrons produces a current. (I)

\begin{aligned} I=\frac{Q}{t} & =\frac{\text { Charge }}{\text { time }} \\ I & =\frac{n e A \ell}{t}=n_{e A V} \end{aligned} \left\lvert\, \because \mathrm{V}_{\mathrm{d}}=\frac{\ell}{\mathrm{t}}\right.

  • If ‘ n ‘ is the concentration of free electrons then the current density ‘ J’ can be written as

\begin{aligned} J=\frac{I}{A} & =\frac{\operatorname{neAV}_{d}}{A} \\ J & =n_{e V} \end{aligned}

From Ohm’s law          I=\frac{V}{R}

\begin{array}{ll} \mathrm{I}=\frac{\mathrm{VA}}{\rho \ell} & \left\lvert\, \mathrm{R}=\frac{\rho \ell}{\mathrm{A}}\right. \\ \mathrm{J}=\frac{\mathrm{I}}{\mathrm{A}}=\frac{\mathrm{VA}}{\rho \ell \mathrm{A}} & \\ \mathrm{J}=\frac{\mathrm{V}}{\rho \ell} & \left\lvert\, \mathrm{E}=\frac{\mathrm{V}}{\ell}\right. \\ \mathrm{J}=\frac{\mathrm{E}}{\rho} & \mathrm{|} \sigma=\frac{1}{\rho} \end{array} 

J = σ E

Where σ is electrical conductivity

\begin{aligned} \sigma \mathrm{E} & =\mathrm{ne} \mathrm{V}_{\mathrm{d}} \\ \sigma & =\text { ne } \frac{\mathrm{V}_{\mathrm{d}}}{\mathrm{E}} \\ \sigma & =\text { ne } \mu \end{aligned}

Conclusions

Thus the electrical conductivity is directly proportional to the mobility of electrons.

  • Mobility of the electron depends on temperature \mu \infty \frac{1}{T^{\frac{3}{2}}}
  • When the temperature of the metal increases, the mobility of the electron decreases and hence the electrical conductivity decreases.
  • The addition of impurities in the metal decreases the electrical conductivity.
Read More Topics
Industrial applications laser welding
Types of semiconductor laser
Principle and propagation of light in optical fibres
For Feedback - techactive6@gmail.com

Leave a Comment