Assertion : The energy gap between the valence band and conduction band is greater in silicon than in germanium.
Reason : Thermal energy produces fewer minority carriers in silicon than in germanium.

Options

A. If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
B. If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
C. If assertion is true but reason is false.
D. If the assertion and reason both are false.

Answer

B

Explanation

The energy gap between valence band and conduction band in germanium is `0.76 eV` and the energy gap between valence band and conduction band in silicon is `1.1 eV`. Also, it is true that thermal energy produces fewer minority carriers in silicon than in germanium.