What is the distinction between electronic and ionic conduction?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Question: Explain the primary differences between electronic conduction and ionic conduction, focusing on charge carriers, materials, and occurrence. Answer: Electronic conduction involves the flow of electric current due to the movement of free electrons or holes within a material's structure, whereas ionic conduction involves the transport of electric current by the movement of charged ions such as cations and anions. Electronic conduction mainly occurs in metals, semiconductors, and conducting polymers, while ionic conduction is observed in materials like electrolytes, polymers, molten salts, and some ceramics. Electronic conduction is common in everyday applications like electric circuits and electronic devices, whereas ionic conduction occurs in processes like electrochemical reactions, batteries, fuel cells, and certain biological systems.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Electronic Conduction

Electronic conduction is the flow of electric current through a material due to the movement of free electrons or holes within its structure.
02

Definition of Ionic Conduction

Ionic conduction is the transport of electric current in a material by the movement of charged ions, such as cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions).
03

Charge Carriers in Electronic Conduction

In electronic conduction, the charge carriers are free electrons or holes. Electrons are negatively charged particles, while holes are the absence of electrons in the atomic lattice and behave as though they carry a positive charge.
04

Charge Carriers in Ionic Conduction

In ionic conduction, the charge carriers are cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions). Cations move towards the cathode (negative electrode), and anions move towards the anode (positive electrode) during the conduction process.
05

Materials Conducting Electronic Conduction

Electronic conduction mainly occurs in metals, semiconductors, and some conducting polymers. These materials have a structure that allows for the free movement of electrons or holes.
06

Materials Conducting Ionic Conduction

Ionic conduction is observed in materials like electrolytes, polymers, molten salts, and some ceramics. These materials consist of ions that can move within the structure, allowing for the transport of electric current.
07

Occurrence of Electronic Conduction

Electronic conduction is common in everyday applications, like electric circuits, electronic devices, and wiring systems. It is the primary mode of conduction in most electrical systems.
08

Occurrence of Ionic Conduction

Ionic conduction occurs in processes like electrochemical reactions, batteries, fuel cells, and certain biological systems. It plays a critical role in energy storage and conversion technologies, as well as in natural biological processes.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

(a) In your own words, explain how donor impurities in semiconductors give rise to free electrons in numbers in excess of those generated by valence band-conduction band excitations. (b) Also explain how acceptor impurities give rise to holes in numbers in excess of those generated by valence band- conduction band excitations.

For \(\mathrm{NaCl}\), the ionic radii for \(\mathrm{Na}^{+}\)and \(\mathrm{Cl}^{-}\) ions are \(0.102\) and \(0.181 \mathrm{~nm}\), respectively. If an externally applied electric field produces a \(5 \%\) expansion of the lattice, compute the dipole moment for each \(\mathrm{Na}^{+}-\mathrm{Cl}^{-}\)pair. Assume that this material is completely unpolarized in the absence of an electric field.

(a) Calculate the drift velocity of electrons in germanium at room temperature and when the magnitude of the electric field is \(1000 \mathrm{~V} / \mathrm{m}\). (b) Under these circumstances, how long does it take an electron to traverse a \(25-\mathrm{mm}\) (1-in.) length of crystal?

Compare the temperature dependence of the conductivity for metals and intrinsic semiconductors. Briefly explain the difference in behavior.

A charge of \(3.5 \times 10^{-11} \mathrm{C}\) is to be stored on each plate of a parallel-plate capacitor having an area of \(160 \mathrm{~mm}^{2}\left(0.25 \mathrm{in} .^{2}\right)\) and a plate separation of \(3.5 \mathrm{~mm}(0.14 \mathrm{in}\).). (a) What voltage is required if a material having a dielectric constant of \(5.0\) is positioned within the plates? (b) What voltage would be required if a vacuum were used? (c) What are the capacitances for parts (a) and (b)? (d) Compute the dielectric displacement for part (a). (e) Compute the polarization for part (a).

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free