When examining the electrical and thermal conductivity of a metal, you find that only the "conduction" electrons truly contribute to these conductivities. Choose the statement below that most specifically details the property of atomic electrons that allows them to become conduction electrons and to contribute to these conductivities

a. They are close in energy to the Fermi energy.
b. They are closely (or strongly) bound to the atomic nuclei and therefore lie lower in energy.
c. Their spin magnetic moments are aligned.
d. The attraction to positively charged ions and repulsion from negatively charged ions accelerates them through the metal carrying energy.
e .As the ions separate due to thermal expansion, all electrons become conduction electrons as they move further from nuclei.


a.
Only those electrons close in energy to the Fermi energy will be able to be excited enough to contribute to the thermal and electrical conductivity. All other electrons are too strongly bound to have a significant probability of becoming excited enough to carry energy within the atom.

Physics & Space Science

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