What is a semiconductor? Definition of the following: Semiconductor Conductor Insulator Energy band
Answer (1)
A semiconductor is a material that has electrical conductivity between a conductor and an insulator. This means it can conduct electricity better than an insulator but not as well as a conductor. Semiconductors are essential for modern electronics, like computers and smartphones, because they can control electrical current.
Definitions:
Semiconductor : A type of material whose ability to conduct electricity falls between that of a conductor and an insulator. Its conductivity can be altered by changing temperature, introducing impurities (doping), or by the application of electric fields. Common semiconductors include silicon and germanium.
Conductor : A material that allows the flow of electrical current with minimal resistance. Metals like copper and aluminum are excellent conductors and are often used in wires and cables.
Insulator : A material that resists the flow of electric current. Insulators, such as rubber and glass, are used to protect us from the dangers of electricity because they prevent the movement of electrical currents.
Energy Band : In solid-state physics, energy bands are ranges of energy levels that electrons can occupy. In an isolated atom, electrons occupy defined energy levels or orbitals. In solids, these levels broaden into bands due to interactions with neighboring atoms. For a semiconductor, there are two important energy bands: the valence band (where the electrons in a material naturally are) and the conduction band (the band where electrons can move freely to conduct electricity). The gap between these bands is what differentiates insulators, semiconductors, and conductors.
Understanding these concepts is crucial as they form the foundation of how electronic devices function.
