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kini.Amith
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Given a material sample, what are the different experiments that one can perform on it to check if it's a conductor or a semiconductor. For eg, we can measure R at different temperatures. Anything else we can do?
Paradox101 said:Semiconductors have 4 electrons in their valence shell.So,what usually is done is gating or perhaps doping to make it either a n-type or a p-type.SO,the material which responds to such techniques would have an increased conductivity.Moreover,why concentrate on the temperature? You do realize that certain semiconductors have excited electrons which relax by emitting light rather than heat(eg- the ones used in LEDs).
A metal is a material that has a high electrical and thermal conductivity, whereas a semiconductor is a material that has both conductive and insulating properties. Metals have a large number of free electrons that can easily move and conduct electricity, while semiconductors have fewer free electrons and require a certain amount of energy to conduct electricity.
The most common way to determine if a material is a metal or a semiconductor is by conducting a simple conductivity test. A metal will have a high conductivity and will allow electricity to flow easily, while a semiconductor will have a lower conductivity and may only allow electricity to flow under certain conditions.
Some physical properties that can help identify a material as a metal or a semiconductor include electrical conductivity, melting point, and color. Metals have high electrical conductivity and a high melting point, while semiconductors have lower electrical conductivity and a lower melting point. Metals also tend to have a shiny, metallic appearance, while semiconductors may have a dull or semiconducting color.
Yes, some materials can exhibit properties of both a metal and a semiconductor. These materials are known as metalloids, and they have characteristics of both metals and non-metals. Examples of metalloids include silicon, germanium, and arsenic.
Impurities can greatly affect the conductivity of a material. For example, adding impurities to a semiconductor can create a material with controllable electrical properties, known as a doped semiconductor. This is a common method used in the production of electronic devices such as transistors. On the other hand, impurities in a metal can decrease its conductivity, making it less efficient for conducting electricity.