Question

At temperature T = 0 K, an intrinsic semiconductor behaves like a/an ____________.
1. conductor
2. insulator
3. metal
4. no change in behavior

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : insulator

CONCEPT:

• Semiconductors: The materials that have a conductivity between conductors and insulators are called semiconductors.
• At T = 0 K, an intrinsic semiconductor will behave like an insulator.

EXPLANATION:

• At T = 0 K, an intrinsic semiconductor will behave like an insulator.
• The reason for this is that at higher temperatures (T > 0K), It is the thermal energy that excites some electrons from the valence band to the conduction band.
• And at T = 0K, there is no movement of electrons, therefore semiconductor behaves like an insulator.
• So the correct answer is option 2.