- #1
Izero
- 5
- 0
Homework Statement
"The low [electron] density of a semiconductor means that the conduction electrons travel much faster than they do in conductors."
In order to fully understand this, I feel that I need to know why this occurs.
Homework Equations
I = nAve
Where:
I = current
n = electron density
v = average drift velocity
e = charge on one electron
The Attempt at a Solution
I know that, mathematically, the electrons need to travel faster in order for the current to be maintained, since current is flow of charge per unit time. I understand from the equation why this is the case, and the numbers make sense. However, I can't understand why the electrons would move faster just because there are fewer of them, and why the current doesn't just fall when a semiconductor is inserted into a circuit.