Explain the difference between conductor and semiconductor.
Answers
Answer:
Difference Between Conductor, Insulator and Semiconductor
The major difference between conductor, insulator and semiconductor is defined by the flow of charged particles under the influence of electric field. When any voltage is applied to the conductor, electric charged particles easily flow from valence band to conduction band. Thus conductor is a good conductor of electricity. A semiconductor allows very low charge particles to move from valence band to conduction band. In insulators, there is no flow of charge particles under the influence of electric field hence insulators are the bad conductor of electricity.
Answer:
CONDUCTOR
Definition:-
A conductor is a material that allows the flow of charge when applied with a voltage.
Temperature dependence:-
The resistance of a semiconductor decrease with increases in temperature. Thus it acts as an insulator at absolute zero.
Conduction:-
The conduction in conductors is due to the free electrons in metal bonding.
band gap:-
There is no or low energy gap between the conduction & valance band of a conductor. It does not need extra energy for the conduction state.
Examples:-
Gold, Copper, Silver, Aluminum etc.
Application:-
The metals like iron & copper etc. that can conduct electricity are made into wires and cable for carrying electric current.
SEMICONDUCTOR
Definition:-
A semiconductor is a material whose conductivity lies between conductor & insulator.
Temperature dependence:-
The resistance of a conductor increases with an increase in temperature.
Conduction:-
The conduction in semiconductor is due to the movement of electron & holes.
band gap:-
The band gap of semiconductor is greater than the conductor but smaller than an insulator i.e. 1 eV. Their electrons need a little energy for conduction state.
Examples:-
Silicon, Germanium, Selenium, Antimony, Gallium Arsenide (known as semi insulator),Boron etc.
Application:-
Semiconductors are used every day electronic devices such as cellphone, computer, solar panel etc as switches, energy converter, amplifiers, etc.