Temperature Coefficient of an Intrinsic Semiconductor

Intrinsic semiconductors are pure semiconducting materials, such as silicon or germanium, with no intentional impurities added. The temperature coefficient of an intrinsic semiconductor refers to the change in its electrical conductivity with respect to temperature.

Explanation:

When the temperature of an intrinsic semiconductor increases, the number of thermally generated electron-hole pairs also increases. This is because the energy required to break the covalent bonds and create electron-hole pairs decreases with increasing temperature. As a result, the electrical conductivity of the intrinsic semiconductor increases with temperature.

The temperature coefficient of an intrinsic semiconductor is negative, which means that as the temperature increases, the electrical conductivity decreases. This can be explained by the increase in the number of thermally generated electron-hole pairs. These additional carriers increase the probability of scattering events and collisions, leading to a decrease in the mobility of charge carriers and hence a decrease in conductivity.

Key Points:
- Intrinsic semiconductors are pure semiconducting materials without intentional impurities.
- Temperature coefficient refers to the change in electrical conductivity with respect to temperature.
- The temperature coefficient of an intrinsic semiconductor is negative.
- With increasing temperature, the number of thermally generated electron-hole pairs increases.
- The increase in carriers leads to more scattering events and collisions, decreasing the mobility of charge carriers and conductivity.
- Therefore, as temperature increases, the electrical conductivity of an intrinsic semiconductor decreases.

In conclusion, the correct answer is option C, which states that the temperature coefficient of an intrinsic semiconductor is negative.