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Chapter 9: Problem 67

What is the main difference between an insulator and a semiconductor?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The main difference between an insulator and a semiconductor lies in their ability to conduct electricity. Insulators have a large band gap and do not allow electric charge to flow through them, while semiconductors have a smaller band gap which allows them to conduct electricity under certain conditions, such as increased temperature or the presence of impurities. In brief, insulators are non-conductive materials, and semiconductors exhibit intermediate conductivity between insulators and conductors.

Step by step solution

01

Define insulators

An insulator is a material that does not allow the flow of electric charge due to the presence of a significant energy gap (known as the band gap) between its valence and conduction bands. Electrons in insulators are mostly bound to their parent atoms, and they don't have enough energy to jump from the valence band to the conduction band, where they could be free to move and conduct electricity. Examples of insulators include glass, rubber, and most plastics.
02

Define semiconductors

A semiconductor is a material that lies between insulators and conductors in terms of its ability to conduct electricity; it has a smaller energy gap between its valence and conduction bands as compared to insulators. At absolute zero temperature, semiconductors behave like insulators, but as the temperature increases, electrons in the valence band gain enough energy to jump to the conduction band, allowing the material to conduct electricity. Silicon and germanium are common examples of semiconductors.
03

Compare properties of insulators and semiconductors

The main difference between an insulator and a semiconductor is their ability to conduct electricity. Insulators have a large band gap and do not allow electric charge to flow through them, while semiconductors have a smaller band gap which allows them to conduct electricity under certain conditions, such as increased temperature or the presence of impurities. In brief, insulators are non-conductive materials, and semiconductors exhibit intermediate conductivity between insulators and conductors.

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