Semiconductors are materials that have an electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Three properties of a semiconductor are:
Conductivity: Semiconductors have intermediate electrical conductivity, which means they are not good conductors like metals but not as poor as insulators. They can conduct electricity under certain conditions, such as when exposed to light or heat, or when impurities are added to them (a process called doping).
Energy gap: Semiconductors have a small energy gap between their valence band (the highest energy level occupied by electrons) and their conduction band (the lowest energy level that electrons can occupy and still be free to move). This energy gap determines the conductivity of the material and can be manipulated through doping or other processes.
Temperature sensitivity: Semiconductors are sensitive to changes in temperature, which can affect their electrical conductivity. As the temperature of a semiconductor increases, the energy of its electrons increases and they become more likely to move into the conduction band, increasing the material's conductivity. However, if the temperature gets too high, the semiconductor may begin to behave like a conductor and lose its unique properties.
Overall, these properties make semiconductors useful in a wide range of electronic devices, including transistors, diodes, and solar cells.
Semiconductors are materials that have an electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. Three properties of a semiconductor are:
Conductivity: Semiconductors have intermediate electrical conductivity, which means they are not good conductors like metals but not as poor as insulators. They can conduct electricity under certain conditions, such as when exposed to light or heat, or when impurities are added to them (a process called doping).
Energy gap: Semiconductors have a small energy gap between their valence band (the highest energy level occupied by electrons) and their conduction band (the lowest energy level that electrons can occupy and still be free to move). This energy gap determines the conductivity of the material and can be manipulated through doping or other processes.
Temperature sensitivity: Semiconductors are sensitive to changes in temperature, which can affect their electrical conductivity. As the temperature of a semiconductor increases, the energy of its electrons increases and they become more likely to move into the conduction band, increasing the material's conductivity. However, if the temperature gets too high, the semiconductor may begin to behave like a conductor and lose its unique properties.
Overall, these properties make semiconductors useful in a wide range of electronic devices, including transistors, diodes, and solar cells.