Thomas Fermi (physicist)

Thomas Fermi was an Italian-American physicist known for developing the Thomas-Fermi model in quantum mechanics, which approximates how electrons distribute themselves in atoms and molecules. Instead of solving complex equations for each electron, his model uses a statistical approach to estimate electron density and energy, simplifying calculations of large systems. This work helps scientists understand atomic structure and electronic behavior in materials, playing a foundational role in quantum chemistry and condensed matter physics. The Thomas-Fermi model remains a useful approximation in theoretical physics, especially for studying large atoms and complex systems.