Static Dipole Polarizability of Atoms and Ions in the Thomas-Fermi Model

A statistical theory of the dipole polarizability α is given for atoms and ions, described in the Thomas-Fermi model. A universal dependence of the polarizability of atoms and ions on their radius is constructed by numerical calculations. In the case of multiply-charged ions the expression for α has a simple analytical form. The results of the computation are in good agreement with available experimental and theoretical data especially when the outer electron shells are more than half-filled.