002088iverson said:im not allowed to use band structures :/
The main difference between metals and semiconductors is the number of free electrons they have in their outermost energy level. Metals have a larger number of free electrons, making them good conductors of electricity, while semiconductors have a smaller number of free electrons, making them poor conductors.
Metals are typically found on the left side of the periodic table, while semiconductors are found in the middle and right side of the periodic table. Common metals include iron, copper, and gold, while common semiconductors include silicon, germanium, and gallium.
Metals have a partially filled valence band and a completely filled conduction band, allowing for easy movement of electrons. Semiconductors have a small band gap between the valence band and the conduction band, and can be easily manipulated to either conduct or resist electricity through doping.
It depends on the specific application. Metals are better for conducting electricity and are often used in wiring and circuitry. Semiconductors are better for controlling and manipulating electricity and are commonly used in transistors, diodes, and other electronic components.
As temperature increases, the conductivity of metals increases because more electrons are able to move freely. In semiconductors, the opposite is true - as temperature increases, the conductivity decreases due to the breaking of electron bonds. This is known as the negative temperature coefficient.