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When an electric field is applied across a semiconductor, free electrons in it will accelerate due to the applied field, and gain energy. This energy can be lost as heat when the electrons
  • a)
    recombine with holes
  • b)
    collide with atoms in the crystal
  • c)
    radiate energy while being accelerated
  • d)
    collide with other electrons
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
When an electric field is applied across a semiconductor, free electro...
When an electron is accelerated by the potential applied to a semiconductor, the energy gained from the field may then be transferred to an atom when the electron collides with the atom.
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Most Upvoted Answer
When an electric field is applied across a semiconductor, free electro...
Explanation:

When an electric field is applied across a semiconductor, the free electrons in the material experience a force due to the field. This force causes the electrons to accelerate and gain kinetic energy. However, this energy gained by the electrons is not permanently retained. Instead, it is lost as heat through collisions with atoms in the crystal lattice of the semiconductor material.

Collisions with Atoms in the Crystal:
- When the accelerated electrons collide with atoms in the crystal lattice, they transfer some of their kinetic energy to these atoms.
- These collisions cause the atoms to vibrate, increasing their thermal energy and consequently increasing the temperature of the material.
- This process is known as electron-phonon scattering, where phonons represent the lattice vibrations.

Reason for Choosing Option 'B':
- The other options listed (recombination with holes, radiation while being accelerated, and collision with other electrons) do not play a significant role in the loss of energy as heat in a semiconductor under an applied electric field.
- Recombination with holes refers to the combination of a free electron with an empty state (hole) in the valence band, resulting in the release of energy as light or heat. However, this process is not directly related to the loss of energy by accelerated electrons in an electric field.
- Radiation while being accelerated is more relevant in the context of charged particles moving close to the speed of light or in high-energy physics. In the case of electrons in a semiconductor under a typical electric field, the energy lost through radiation is negligible.
- Collisions with other electrons can lead to scattering and resistance in the material but do not directly result in the loss of energy as heat.

Conclusion:
When an electric field is applied across a semiconductor, the kinetic energy gained by the free electrons is lost primarily as heat through collisions with atoms in the crystal lattice. These collisions transfer energy to the lattice, increasing its thermal energy and causing the material to heat up. This phenomenon is an essential aspect of understanding the behavior of semiconductors under electric fields.
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When an electric field is applied across a semiconductor, free electrons in it will accelerate due to the applied field, and gain energy. This energy can be lost as heat when the electronsa)recombine with holesb)collide with atoms in the crystalc)radiate energy while being acceleratedd)collide with other electronsCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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