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Chapter 1: Problem 9

Describe the difference between majority and minority carriers.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The difference between majority and minority carriers is that majority carriers are the type of charge carriers that are more numerous in a semiconductor, while minority carriers are the type that are less numerous. For n-type semiconductors, electrons are the majority carriers and holes are the minority. For p-type semiconductors, this is reversed, with holes being the majority carriers and electrons being the minority.

Step by step solution

01

Explain Majority Carriers

First, let's talk about majority carriers. In a semiconductor material, the majority carriers are the type of charge carriers (either electrons or holes) that are more numerous. In an n-type semiconductor, which is doped with donor atoms, the majority carriers are electrons because there are more free electrons. Conversely, in a p-type semiconductor, doped with acceptor atoms, the majority carriers are holes because there are more of them.
02

Explain Minority Carriers

Minority carriers are the opposite of majority carriers. In any given semiconductor material, the minority carriers are the type of charge carriers (either electrons or holes) that are less numerous. For instance, in an n-type semiconductor, the minority carriers are holes. Whereas in a p-type semiconductor, the minority carriers are electrons.
03

Highlight the key difference

To sum up, the key difference between majority and minority carriers lies in their numbers in a specific semiconductor material. Majority carriers are the ones that are more abundant, while minority carriers are less abundant.

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