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With rise in temperature the resistance of semi-conductors

Question

With rise in temperature the resistance of semi-conductors

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Solution 1

With the rise in temperature, the resistance of semiconductors decreases. This is because semiconductors have negative temperature coefficients of resistance.

Here's a step-by-step explanation:

  1. Semiconductors are materials whose electrical properties can be manipulated. Their resistance is not as high as insulators but not as low as conductors.

  2. The resistance of a material is determined by the number of charge carriers available and how easily these carriers can move. In semiconductors, these charge carriers are electrons and holes.

  3. At absolute zero temperature, a semiconductor behaves like an insulator with very high resistance because there are very few charge carriers available.

  4. As the temperature increases, more electrons gain enough energy to jump from the valence band to the conduction band. This process creates more charge carriers (both electrons and holes).

  5. The increase in the number of charge carriers decreases the resistance of the semiconductor. Therefore, unlike metals which have a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, semiconductors have a negative temperature coefficient of resistance.

  6. So, with the rise in temperature, the resistance of semiconductors decreases.

This problem has been solved

Solution 2

With the rise in temperature, the resistance of semiconductors decreases. This is because semiconductors have negative temperature coefficients of resistance.

Here's a step-by-step explanation:

  1. Semiconductors are materials whose electrical properties can be manipulated according to our needs. They are neither good conductors like metals nor insulators. Silicon and germanium are common examples of semiconductors.

  2. The resistance of a material is determined by the number of charge carriers available in it. In semiconductors, these charge carriers are electrons and holes.

  3. At absolute zero temperature, a pure semiconductor behaves like an insulator. As the temperature increases, the semiconductor material gains thermal energy.

  4. This thermal energy can break the covalent bonds holding the semiconductor atoms together, creating electron-hole pairs. This means that more charge carriers are available for conduction.

  5. As the number of charge carriers (i.e., the number of free electrons and holes) increases, the resistance of the semiconductor decreases.

  6. Therefore, unlike metals which have a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, semiconductors have a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. This means that their resistance decreases with an increase in temperature.

This problem has been solved

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