The electrical conductivity of a semiconductor increaseswhen electroma...
To understand why the correct answer is option 'A', let's break down the concept of band gap and its relation to electrical conductivity in a semiconductor.
Band Gap:
In a semiconductor, the energy levels of electrons are organized into bands. The valence band contains electrons that are bound to their respective atoms, and the conduction band contains electrons that have enough energy to move freely throughout the material. The energy gap between the valence band and the conduction band is called the band gap.
Electrical Conductivity:
The electrical conductivity of a material is a measure of its ability to conduct electric current. In a semiconductor, the conductivity is determined by the availability of free electrons in the conduction band.
Effect of Electromagnetic Radiation:
When electromagnetic radiation interacts with a semiconductor, it can transfer energy to the material. This energy can be absorbed by the electrons, promoting them from the valence band to the conduction band. The wavelength of the radiation determines the amount of energy transferred.
Shorter Wavelength, Higher Energy:
According to the electromagnetic spectrum, shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons. Therefore, when electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than 2480nm (nanometers) is incident on a semiconductor, it provides enough energy to promote electrons across the band gap and into the conduction band.
Increased Electrical Conductivity:
Once the electrons are in the conduction band, they are free to move and contribute to the electrical conductivity of the semiconductor. Therefore, the electrical conductivity of the semiconductor increases when electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than 2480nm is incident on it.
Conclusion:
In this case, the correct answer is option 'A' (0.5 eV) because a band gap of 0.5 eV corresponds to a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that is shorter than 2480nm, providing enough energy to promote electrons into the conduction band and increase the electrical conductivity of the semiconductor.
The electrical conductivity of a semiconductor increaseswhen electroma...