When n –type of semiconductor is heateda)number of electrons inc...
Explanation:Due to heating, when a free electron is produced then simultaneously a hole is also produced.
View all questions of this testWhen n –type of semiconductor is heateda)number of electrons inc...
Understanding n-Type SemiconductorsN-type semiconductors are materials that have been doped with elements that have more valence electrons than the semiconductor itself, typically phosphorus in silicon. This results in an abundance of free electrons, which are the majority charge carriers.
Effect of Heating on n-Type SemiconductorsWhen n-type semiconductors are heated, several key changes occur:
- Increased Thermal Energy: Heating the semiconductor provides energy to the electrons present in the material.
- Electron Excitation: This thermal energy allows some of the electrons to gain enough energy to break free from their donor atoms, thus increasing the number of free electrons in the conduction band.
- Generation of Holes: As electrons leave their positions, they create holes in the valence band. However, in n-type semiconductors, the increase in free electrons occurs at a higher rate than the generation of holes.
Equal Increase of Electrons and HolesThe correct response to the question is that both the number of electrons and holes increases equally (Option B). This is due to the following reasons:
- Electron-Hole Pair Generation: When electrons gain energy and jump to the conduction band, they leave behind holes.
- Thermal Excitation: The thermal energy excites electrons, leading to a proportional increase in both free electrons and holes, as the process of breaking covalent bonds creates additional electron-hole pairs.
- Overall Charge Neutrality: The semiconductor maintains charge neutrality, meaning that for every electron that is excited into the conduction band, a corresponding hole is created.
In summary, heating an n-type semiconductor results in an equal increase in both electrons and holes, leading to enhanced conductivity.