title: [Speculations regarding electric conductivity, the development of an electron theory of metals and the beginning of solid body physics].
abstract: The development of an electron-theory of metals is closely connected with early speculation in the period before Maxwell (W Weber and others) regarding electrical conductivity in metals. These Speculations were in contrast with Faraday's view of an all-embracing molecular dielectric polarisation, and a subsequent passage of charges in metallic conductors. In terms of the empirical law of Wiedemann-Franz-Lorenz, the conductivity of electricity and heat had to be treated commonly. The classical electron-theory of metals (Riecke, Drude, H.A. Lorentz) reached a dead end on account of problems concerned with specific heat capacity. Sommerfeld, by means of the Quantum theory and the Fermi-Statistic, could find the solution.
authors.affiliation: Universität Hamburg, Fachbereich Mathematik, Schwerpunkt Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Mathematik und Technik, Birkenau 24, 22087 Hamburg.
authors.forename: Karl Heinrich
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wiederkehr
mesh_terms: D004553:Electric Conductivity / Q000266:history*; D004583:Electrons / Q000266:history*; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D008670:Metals / Q000266:history*; D010825:Physics / Q000266:history*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals