COMEDK2023Evening ShiftPhysicsSemiconductorsActual
The energy gap between valance band and the conduction band for a given material is 6 ~eV , then the material is :
Options
- AA superconductor
- BAn insulator
- CA metal
- DA semiconductor
Correct answer
B. An insulator
Step-by-step solution
The electrical conductivity of a solid depends on the energy gap ( E_g ) between the valence band and the conduction band. Materials are classified based on the magnitude of this energy gap: 1. Metals: The valence band and conduction band overlap, or the gap is zero. 2. Semiconductors: The energy gap is small, typically around 1 eV to 3 eV . 3. Insulators: The energy gap is large, typically greater than 3 eV to 5 eV . Given that the energy gap for the material is 6 eV , which is significantly greater than 3 eV , th