The interaction of lattice vibrations and free electrons in metals

The electron theory of metals, established in its present form mainly by Pauli, Sommerfeld and Bloch, makes it possible to classify the phenomena connected with metals into two main divisions, which may be called first order effects and second order effects, according to whether the effect depends on the first or second approximation to the energy of a degenerate electron gas at a given temperature. Examples of the first group are the constant paramagnetism of the alkalis and Volta contact potentials. Examples of the second group are the specific heat of the electrons and all thermoelectric effects. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity should be included in the group of first order effects, since here the temperature is introduced through the lattice wave motion. The limits of the existing theory are now easily described. First order effects are accounted for with success, second order effects are in the main far from being adequately covered by the theory. To see clearly the reason for this, one must examine briefly the basis of the existing theory. In the first approximation the metal is regarded as composed of two independent systems; a system of lattice vibrations, and a system of electrons free to move in a given space periodic field of potential. In this way by dealing with the two systems quite independently one can reproduce many properties of metals, for example, Debye's theory of specific heats. The theory of pure lattice heat conductivity is concerned only with the former system, while the constant paramagnetism of the alkalis, and the fact that the electrons contribute only a very small amount to the total specific heat of the metal can be accounted for by considering the latter system only.