Chemical Engineering Basics - Engineering

Q1:

Materials having resistivity ranging from 1 to 100 ohm. cm is termed as

A conductor

B insulator

C semi-conductor

D none of these

ANS:C - semi-conductor

Materials having resistivity ranging from 1 to 100 ohm. cm are termed as semiconductors. Semiconductors are materials whose electrical conductivity lies between that of conductors and insulators. They have resistivity values typically ranging from about 10^−3to 10^8ohm.cm. Conductors have very low resistivity, typically less than 1 ohm.cm, allowing them to conduct electricity easily. Insulators, on the other hand, have very high resistivity, typically greater than 108108 ohm.cm, making it difficult for them to conduct electricity. Semiconductors, such as silicon and germanium, have resistivity values that fall between those of conductors and insulators. Their resistivity can be modified by adding impurities, a process known as doping, which allows them to be used in electronic devices like diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits. Therefore, materials with resistivity ranging from 1 to 100 ohm.cm are termed as semiconductors.