Question Detail

PHY 102 Test Compilation PHY 102 11 Objective Question

Question

In intrinsic semiconductors at room temperature, the number of electrons and holes are:
Options
A Unequal
B Equal
Correct Answer
C Infinite
D Zero
Correct Answer

Option B is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

An intrinsic semiconductor is a pure semiconductor material. At room temperature, thermal energy causes some electrons to break free from covalent bonds, creating electron-hole pairs. In a pure semiconductor, every electron that moves to the conduction band leaves behind one hole in the valence band, so the number of electrons (ne) is equal to the number of holes (nh).

Hint

Consider the definition of an intrinsic semiconductor and how charge carriers are generated.

Question Info