Semiconductors Quiz

A material whose electrical conductivity falls between that of a conductor and an insulator.

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that participate in chemical bonding.

A regular, repeating arrangement of atoms in a solid material, like a crystal.

The movement of charge through a pure semiconductor, where the number of free electrons and holes is equal.

The empty space left behind when an electron breaks free from its covalent bond in a semiconductor.

A type of semiconductor whose resistance decreases as temperature increases.

An increase in the conductivity of a semiconductor as temperature increases.

The movement of charge through a material by the flow of free electrons and holes.

The process of adding impurities to a pure semiconductor to increase its conductivity.

A semiconductor material where the added impurity results in an excess of free electrons for conduction.

A semiconductor material where the added impurity creates extra holes available for conduction.

The junction formed when a p-type and n-type semiconductor meet, allowing current to flow in one direction.

The region around the p-n junction where mobile charge carriers have recombined, leaving a depletion of charge.

The voltage required across the p-n junction to overcome the depletion layer and allow current flow.

When applying a voltage to make the p-type side positive and the n-type side negative, allowing current flow.

When applying a voltage to make the p-type side negative and the n-type side positive, resulting in a depletion layer and increased resistance.

An electronic component with an arrow symbol, allowing current flow in one direction only.

The process of converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

A semiconductor device whose resistance varies with light intensity, decreasing in bright light and increasing in darkness.

A transducer that converts light energy into an electrical signal, typically a change in resistance.

The change in the resistance of an LDR is not directly proportional to the change in light intensity, but rather follows a more complex relationship.

Thermistors that exhibit a decrease in resistance as temperature increases. They are widely used in temperature sensing applications.

Thermistors that exhibit an increase in resistance as temperature increases. They are primarily used for overcurrent protection and self-regulating heating elements.

The ability of a material to conduct electricity. In semiconductors, conductivity is affected by factors such as temperature and light.

The plot of current against voltage for a diode, showing the relationship between these two quantities.

The maximum voltage a diode can withstand before breaking down and being damaged.

A diode is a semiconductor device that allows current to flow in one direction only and blocks current flow in the opposite direction. It uses a material that acts as a conductor in one direction and an insulator in the other.

A resistor in series with the diode helps limit the current flowing through it by dropping some of the voltage before it reaches the diode. This prevents the diode from being damaged by excessive current.

If the battery's terminals are reversed, the diode will be reverse biased, preventing current flow. The diode acts as a barrier, blocking the current.

A rectifier converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). It smooths out the current, making it flow consistently in one direction.

Diodes are useful in rectifiers because of their unidirectional property. They allow current to flow in one direction, turning AC into DC.

Adding phosphorus, a donor impurity, to silicon creates excess free electrons. This makes the silicon more conductive by increasing the number of charge carriers.

Boron is an acceptor impurity that creates 'holes' in the silicon lattice. These holes act as positive charge carriers, increasing conductivity.

At the boundary between the phosphorus and boron layers, a depletion region forms. This region is depleted of free charge carriers, acting as an insulator and preventing current flow.

When forward biased, the depletion region narrows, allowing current to flow easily. The diode acts as a conductor.

When reverse biased, the depletion region widens, greatly reducing current flow. The diode acts as an insulator, blocking current.

A semiconductor material in its pure form, without any added impurities.

The region in a p-n junction where mobile charge carriers like electrons and holes have recombined, leaving behind a depleted zone with few charge carriers.

The process of adding a small amount of another element (impurity) to a pure semiconductor to increase its conductivity.

When the positive terminal of a battery is connected to the p-type side and the negative terminal to the n-type side of a p-n junction, allowing current to flow freely. Think of it as 'pushing' current through the junction.

When the negative terminal of a battery is connected to the p-type side and the positive terminal to the n-type side of a p-n junction, making the depletion layer wider and increasing resistance. Think of it as 'blocking' current flow.

A semiconductor device whose resistance decreases rapidly as temperature increases. This is due to more charge carriers (electrons) being released at higher temperatures, leading to lower resistance.

A semiconductor device used to control the flow of electricity. It can act as an amplifier or an electronic switch.