Theory of the Seebeck coefficient in alkali and noble metals

A new formula for the Seebeck coefficient S is obtained: S = (21n2/3)(qn)(-1 epsilon)(F)k(B) x (N/V), where q, n, epsilon(F), N and V are, respectively, charge, carrier density, Fermi energy, density of states at epsilon(F) and volume. Seebeck (S) and Hall (R(H)) coefficients in alkali metals are both negative while these coefficients in noble metals haw opposite signs. This difference is shown to arise from the different shapes of the Fermi surface.