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Question no. 25408

are materials possessing an electrical conductivity significantly lower than most metals yet much higher than standard insulators______________?

Select your answer for: are materials possessing an electrical conductivity significantly lower than most metals yet much higher than standard insulators______________?
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Answer: C. Semi-conductors

Explanation

Semiconductors are specialized materials whose electrical conductivity falls strictly between metals and insulators. Their crystalline atomic structure prevents free electron movement like metals while allowing controlled conduction. Introducing specific chemical impurities dramatically alters this intermediate conductivity to build useful electronic devices. Silicon and germanium are the most common elemental semiconductor materials used in modern microelectronics. Energy band theory shows that semiconductors possess a narrow forbidden bandgap that electrons can cross. Conductivity in semiconductors increases with temperature because thermal energy frees more charge carriers.

Semiconductor physics forms the absolute foundation for manufacturing computer processors, memory chips, and diodes. Modern telecommunications rely heavily on semiconductor lasers and optical detectors for high-speed fiber data networks. Power conversion systems use semiconductor switches to improve efficiency in electric vehicles and solar inverter units. Varistors are non-linear voltage-dependent resistors designed to protect circuits from high-voltage transient surges. Thermistor components are temperature-sensitive resistors used primarily for accurate thermal sensing and compensation. Variable resistors are manual adjustment components designed to alter resistance in working electronic circuits.

Subject
Engineering
Topic
—
Difficulty
medium

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