Comparison of theoretical and experimental values of the number of metallic orbitals per atom in hypoelectronic and hyperelectronic metals.

The statistical resonating-valence-bond theory of metals is applied in the purely theoretical calculation of the composition of the Ni-Cu alloy at the foot of the curve of saturation ferromagnetic moment, which marks the boundary between hypoelectronic and hyperelectronic metals and determines the value of the number of metallic orbitals per atom. The results, Ni(44)Cu(56) and 0.722 metallic orbitals, agree with the observed values. This agreement provides strong support of the theory.