independentelectron
An independent electron is a theoretical construct used in condensed matter physics and quantum chemistry. It describes an electron that is not interacting with any other electrons or any external forces. In reality, perfectly independent electrons do not exist due to the fundamental nature of quantum mechanics and the electromagnetic force. However, the concept of an independent electron serves as a useful starting point for understanding more complex systems.
The simplest model incorporating independent electrons is the free electron model. In this model, electrons are
More sophisticated models, such as the Hartree-Fock approximation, account for the electrostatic repulsion between electrons, a