What will happen for resistivity metal and semiconductor if the temper...
Metal has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance and semiconductor has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance.
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What will happen for resistivity metal and semiconductor if the temper...
Introduction:
In this question, we are asked to determine the effect of temperature on the resistivity of metals and semiconductors. Resistivity is a property of materials that quantifies their ability to resist the flow of electric current. It is denoted by the symbol ρ.
Effect of Temperature on Resistivity:
The resistivity of a material is affected by various factors, including temperature. Let's discuss how the resistivity changes with temperature for both metals and semiconductors.
Effect of Temperature on Metal Resistivity:
When the temperature of a metal is increased, the resistivity of the metal also increases. This phenomenon can be explained by the increase in the number of collisions between the free electrons and the metal lattice as the temperature rises. These collisions impede the flow of electrons and increase the resistivity of the metal. Therefore, for metals, the resistivity increases with increasing temperature.
Effect of Temperature on Semiconductor Resistivity:
Unlike metals, the resistivity of semiconductors decreases with increasing temperature. This behavior can be attributed to the nature of the charge carriers in semiconductors. Semiconductors have two types of charge carriers: electrons and holes. When the temperature rises, the thermal energy provided to the electrons and holes allows them to overcome the energy barriers and move more freely. As a result, the resistivity of the semiconductor decreases. Therefore, for semiconductors, the resistivity decreases with increasing temperature.
Conclusion:
To summarize, when the temperature is increased, the resistivity of metals increases, while the resistivity of semiconductors decreases. This can be attributed to the increase in the number of collisions between free electrons and the metal lattice in metals, and the increased mobility of charge carriers (electrons and holes) in semiconductors due to thermal energy.