At absolute zero , Si acts as

Options

A. non-metal
B. Metallic
C. insulator
D. None of the above

Answer

To solve the question "At absolute zero, Si acts as:", we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Absolute Zero**:
- Absolute zero is defined as 0 Kelvin (K), which is equivalent to -273.15 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, all thermal motion of particles is minimized.

2. **Behavior of Electrons in Silicon at Absolute Zero**:
- Silicon (Si) is a semiconductor material. At absolute zero, the thermal energy is insufficient to excite electrons from the valence band to the conduction band. This means that there are no free charge carriers (electrons) available to conduct electricity.

3. **Current Flow in Silicon at Absolute Zero**:
- Since there are no free electrons to move, there is no current flow in silicon at absolute zero. This lack of current flow is a characteristic of insulating materials.

4. **Classification of Silicon at Absolute Zero**:
- Given that silicon does not conduct electricity at absolute zero due to the absence of free charge carriers, we classify silicon in this state as an insulator.

5. **Final Conclusion**:
- Therefore, at absolute zero, silicon acts as an insulator.

### Final Answer:
At absolute zero, silicon acts as an insulator.

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