What are semiconductors ? What is the effect of increasing temperature on the conductivity of a semiconductor ?

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Definition of Semiconductors:**
- Semiconductors are materials that have a moderate energy gap between their valence band (the highest range of electron energies in which electrons are normally present at absolute zero temperature) and conduction band (the range of electron energies where electrons can move freely and conduct electricity).
- The energy gap in semiconductors is typically between 1 eV to 3 eV. This property allows semiconductors to conduct electricity better than insulators but not as well as conductors.

2. **Conductivity of Semiconductors:**
- The conductivity of semiconductors is generally measured in the range of \(10^{-4} \, \text{S/m}\) to \(10^{-1} \, \text{S/m}\). This indicates that they can conduct electricity, but not as efficiently as metals.
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