Question

What happens to electron collisions and relaxation time in metals as temperature rises?

Options

• Lattice vibrations increase, collisions become less frequent, and relaxation time \(\tau\) increases

• Lattice vibrations increase, collisions become more frequent, and relaxation time \(\tau\) decreases

• Lattice vibrations remain unchanged, so relaxation time \(\tau\) is constant

• Lattice vibrations decrease, collisions become less frequent, and relaxation time \(\tau\) decreases

Answer 1

As temperature rises in metals, lattice vibrations increase and electrons experience more frequent collisions. This reduces the relaxation time \(\tau\), thereby increasing resistivity.