Cation-Electron Interaction in Metal-Ammonia Solutions

The problem of electron binding in the field of a cation in metal solutions is treated on the basis of an interstitial ion model. The energy levels and charge distribution of the unpaired electron are computed by a self-consistent field treatment for electron binding in a continuous dielectric medium employing one parameter wave function. Comparison with experimental results and with theoretical treatment based on a molecular model is presented. The adequacy of the continuous model is discussed.