Sn, C, Si and Ge are all group XIV elements . Yet , Sn is a conductor , C is an insulator while Si and Ge are semiconductors . Why?
Text Solution
Verified by Experts
A material is a conductor if in its energy band diagram, there is no energy gap between conduction band and valence band. For insulator the energy gap is large and for semiconductor the energy gap is moderate. The energy gap for Sn is 0eV, for C is `5.4 eV`, for Si is `1.1eV` and for Ge is `0.7 eV`, related to their atomic size. Therefore, Sn is a conductor, C is an insulator and Ge and Si are semiconductors.
Topper's Solved these Questions
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
PRADEEP|Exercise SAMPLE PROBLEM|2 Videos
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
PRADEEP|Exercise CONCEPTUAL PROBLEMS|1 Videos
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
PRADEEP|Exercise II Focus multiple choice question|5 Videos
ELECTROSTATICS
PRADEEP|Exercise ASSERTION-REASON TYPE QUESTIONS|2 Videos
Similar Questions
Explore conceptually related problems
Why do Ge and Si are semiconductor?
C, Si and Ge have same lattice structure. Why is C insulator, while Si and Ge intrinsic semiconductors ?
Assertion (A) : C,Si and Ge have 4 Valancy each both but C is an insulator where as Si and Ge are semi conductors Reason ( R) : Energy gap is least for Ge , less for Si compared to C , So that free electrons for conduction in Ge and Si are significant but negligible small for C .
Three elements B, Si and Ge are
Stonsium (Sn) and silicon (Si) both belong to group IV elements but Sn is a metal whereas Si is a semiconductor. Why?
The lattice structure for both carbon and silicon is same with each of them having 4 bonding electrons c is an insulator wheres Si is semiconductor why
