Chapter 21: Problem 19

Define the following terms: conductor, insulator, semiconducting elements, donor impurities, acceptor impurities, \(n\) -type semiconductors, and \(p\) -type semiconductors.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Conductors are materials with many free electrons, allowing electricity to flow. Insulators do not allow the flow of electricity due to few or no free electrons. Semiconducting elements demonstrate properties between those of conductors and insulators. Donor impurities contribute free electrons to a semiconductor, creating n-type semiconductors. Acceptor impurities create free holes in a semiconductor, resulting in p-type semiconductors.

Step by step solution

Defining Conductors

Conductors are materials that allow free flow of electrons from one particle to another. They are known to have a large number of free electrons that are not bound to atoms, allowing electric current to pass through them.

Defining Insulators

Insulators are materials that do not allow the flow of electrons from one particle to another. They have few or no free electrons, hence they prevent or restrict the passage of electric current.

Defining Semiconducting Elements

Semiconducting Elements are the elements in the periodic table that display properties midway between or that blend those of metals (conductors) and nonmetals (insulators). Silicon and germanium are examples of semiconducting elements.

Defining Donor Impurities

Donor Impurities are impurities added to a semiconductor to increase the number of free electrons. These impurities have more valence electrons than the semiconductor, and thus 'donate' one or more of their excess electrons to the semiconductor's conduction band.

Defining Acceptor Impurities

Acceptor Impurities are impurities added to a semiconductor to increase the number of free holes. These impurities have fewer valence electrons than the semiconductor, thereby creating 'holes' or spaces that free electrons can move into.

Defining n-type Semiconductors

n-type semiconductors are semiconductors where the charge carriers are primarily electrons. These are created by adding donor impurities to increase the number of free electrons.

Defining p-type Semiconductors

p-type semiconductors are semiconductors where the charge carriers are primarily holes. These are created by adding acceptor impurities to increase the number of free holes.

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Define the following terms: conductor, insulator, semiconducting elements, donor impurities, acceptor impurities, \(n\) -type semiconductors, and \(p\) -type semiconductors.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Defining Conductors

Defining Insulators

Defining Semiconducting Elements

Defining Donor Impurities

Defining Acceptor Impurities

Defining n-type Semiconductors

Defining p-type Semiconductors

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