The band theory of solids
The band theory of solids is different from the others because the atoms are arranged very close to each other such that the energy levels of the outermost orbital electrons are affected. But the energy level of the innermost electrons is not affected by the neighboring atoms. The three energy bands in solids are
- Valence band
- Conduction band
- Forbidden band
Band theory solids
- In atoms, electrons are filled in respective energy orbits following Pauli’s exclusion principle.
- In molecules, Two atomic orbitals combine together to form a molecular orbit with two distinct energy levels.
- In solids, 1023 stacked up lines confined in a tiny space would look like a band. Thereby forming energy continuum called energy bands.
- This theory helps to visualise the difference between conductor, semiconductors and insulator by plotting available energies for an electron in a material.
