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Phy6explorer
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I was reading an article about Selenium and I found that Selenium conducts electricity better in the light than in the dark. Why is that so.And is that why they are used in photocells?
Selenium is a semiconductor material, meaning that it has properties of both a metal and an insulator. When exposed to light, selenium atoms release electrons, making it easier for electricity to flow through the material.
Yes, there is a significant difference in the conductivity of selenium in light versus dark conditions. Studies have shown that the conductivity of selenium can increase by over 100 times when exposed to light.
The conductivity of selenium increases with higher light intensities. This is because more light means more electrons are being released from the selenium atoms, making it easier for electricity to flow through the material.
Yes, there are other materials that exhibit the same behavior as selenium, conducting electricity better in the light than in the dark. These include other semiconductor materials such as silicon and germanium.
The ability of selenium to conduct electricity better in the light than in the dark has a wide range of applications, including solar cells, photodiodes, and light sensors. It can also be used in photocopying and xerography processes.