Question

Electrical conductivity of metals, ionic solids and semiconductors

Answer 1

Conductors

Conductors are generally substances which have the property to pass different types of energy. In the following, the conductivity of electricity is the value of interest.

Insulators

Insulators possess no free charge carriers and thus are non-conductive.

Semiconductors

Semiconductors are solids whose conductivity lies between the conductivity of conductors and insulators. Due to exchange of electrons - to achieve the noble gas configuration - semiconductors arrange as lattice structure. Unlike metals, the conductivity increases with increasing temperature.

Increasing temperatures leads to broken bonds and free electrons are generated. At the location at which the electron was placed, a so-called defect electron ("hole") remains.

Answer 2

Hey !!

METALS

It is due to flow of electrons.

IONIC SOLIDS

It is due to flow of ions in solution or molten state and defects in the solid state.

SEMICONDUCTORS

It is due to the presence of impurities and defects.

Hope it helps you !!