The Effect of Pressure on the Electrical Conductivities of the Alkalies

Abstract

The observed effects of pressure on the resistance of lithium and of sodium are explained by taking into account the change of binding of the conduction electrons of these metals with pressure. A method of interpreting the experimental results is given and it is shown that from the theoretical calculations of Slater and of Millman one can predict the observed behavior of these metals. Thus no special assumptions are necessary to explain the "abnormal" behavior of lithium.