Electrical Conduction in Solids

Study Notes

Types of Electrical Conduction in Solids

Metallic Conduction: Occurs in metals, where free electrons (also known as delocalized electrons) move freely, carrying electrical charge.
Semiconductor Conduction: Occurs in semiconductors, where electrons are not entirely free, but can be excited to conduct electricity with the help of thermal or light energy.
Ionic Conduction: Occurs in ionic solids, where ions move to conduct electricity.

Mechanisms of Electrical Conduction in Solids

Band Theory: Explains conduction in solids based on the energy levels of electrons in a material. Valence band and conduction band are separated by an energy gap.
Free Electron Model: Simplifies the behavior of electrons in metals, treating them as a gas of free electrons.

Factors Affecting Electrical Conduction in Solids

Temperature: Increases in temperature can:
- Increase conduction in metals (as electrons gain kinetic energy)
- Increase conduction in semiconductors (as more electrons are excited to the conduction band)
- Decrease conduction in ionic solids (as ionic motion is hindered)
Doping: Introducing impurities into semiconductors can:
- Increase conduction (p-type or n-type doping)
- Create regions with different electrical properties (p-n junctions)

Applications of Electrical Conduction in Solids

Electronics: Diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits rely on semiconductor conduction.
Electrical Power Distribution: Metallic conduction enables efficient transmission and distribution of electrical power.
Energy Storage: Ionic conduction is crucial in batteries, where ions move between electrodes.

Description

Learn about the different types of electrical conduction in solids, including metallic, semiconductor, and ionic conduction, and their applications in electronics, power distribution, and energy storage.