Semiconductor Fundamentals Quiz

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What is the defining characteristic of a semiconductor material?

The ability to conduct electricity with conductivity properties lying between a conductor and an insulator.

Under what specific conditions can semiconductors act as either a pure conductor or a pure insulator?

Under specific conditions, such as creating a PN junction.

How do semiconductors differ from conductors in terms of controlling the direction of electrical charges?

Semiconductors, after creating a PN junction, can control the direction of the flow of electrical charges, whereas conductors allow current to flow in both directions.

What are some examples of semiconductor materials?

<p>Silicon, Germanium, Gallium Arsenide, where Silicon is the most commonly used and Gallium Arsenide is the second-best semiconductor material.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do silicon atoms arrange themselves in a crystal and what is the result of this arrangement?

<p>When silicon atoms combine to form a crystal, they arrange themselves in a systematic pattern, with each silicon atom sharing its valence electrons with four neighboring atoms, resulting in every atom having eight electrons in its valence orbit.</p> Signup and view all the answers