What is the Difference Between Conductor Semiconductor and Insulator

Conductors, semiconductors, and insulators are all classified based on their ability to conduct electricity. Understanding the difference between conductor semiconductor and insulator is essential for grasping the fundamentals of electrical and electronic systems.

What is the difference between conductor semiconductor and insulator? Conductors allow easy current flow, while semiconductors have controllable conductivity, and insulators resist current flow.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Conductors
      – Definition, Features
2. What are Semiconductors
      – Definition, Features 
3. What are Insulators
      – Definition, Features 
4. Similarities Between Conductor Semiconductor and Insulator
      – Outline of Common Features
5. Difference Between Conductor Semiconductor and Insulator
      – Comparison of Key Differences
6. FAQ: Conductor Semiconductor and Insulator
      – Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Conductor, Semiconductor, Insulator

What are Conductors

Conductors are materials that allow easy flow of current through them. Conductors have abundant free electrons that can freely move. Metals are good conductors. Metals, which have atoms with loosely bonded valence electrons in the outermost shell, sometimes detach these electrons to the outside. These electrons move freely throughout the metal. When a voltage is applied, it creates an electric field prompting these free electrons to move in a specific direction. This directed flow of electrons constitutes an electric current. Since electrons flow with ease, it creates low resistance. Resistance is a material’s opposition to the current flow. Hence, conductors with low electrical resistance allow a large amount of current to pass through with minimal energy loss.

There are many uses of conductors. Some of them include electrical wiring, electronic devices, appliances, and transmission lines. Examples of conductors are metals such as copper, iron, magnesium, etc.

What are Semiconductors

Semiconductors are materials in which the electrical conductivity can be controlled. Most semiconductors are made from silicon, the same element found in sand. However, pure silicon isn’t very conductive. When small amounts of impurities called dopants are added, they alter the electrical properties of silicon.

There are two main types of dopants, namely n-type and p-type. P-type has holes where electrons can move, whereas n-type has extra electrons. When p-type and n-type meet, it creates a junction. This junction exhibits unique electrical properties, allowing it to control the flow of current in a way that pure conductors or insulators cannot.

These controllable junctions form the foundation of transistors. A transistor can act like a tiny switch or as an amplifier, and by combining them in complex circuits called integrated circuits (ICs) or microchips, we can create everything from computers and smartphones to medical devices and spacecraft.

Semiconductors are also used in LEDs, which convert electricity into light. They are also used in solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity.

What are Insulators

Insulators are materials that do not conduct electricity. Insulators have tightly bound electrons in the outermost shells of their atoms. These electrons are held firmly by the nucleus, making it extremely difficult for electrons to detach and move freely. High electrical resistance is created due to the unavailability of mobile electrons. Because of the high resistance, the flow of current does not happen in insulators. Common examples of insulators include materials like rubber, cloth, plastic, and glass. Applications of insulators can be seen in protective coatings, cable sheathing, and circuit board protection.

Similarities Between Conductor Semiconductor and Insulator

1. All three material types are built from atoms with protons, neutrons, and electrons.
2. To some degree, all three materials exhibit a change in conductivity with temperature.

Difference Between Conductor Semiconductor and Insulator

Definition

• A conductor is a material that readily allows the flow of electric current due to the presence of abundant free electrons. A semiconductor is a material with moderate electrical conductivity that can be controlled by factors such as temperature, doping, or applied voltage. An insulator is a material with very high electrical resistance that inhibits the flow of electric current.

Electrical Conductivity

• Conductors have high electrical conductivity, while insulators have very low electrical conductivity. Semiconductors have moderate electrical conductivity. This conductivity can be controlled and adjusted by adding impurities, known as doping.

Free Electrons

• Conductors contain abundant free electrons that can move freely within the material, facilitating the easy flow of electric current. Semiconductors have a limited number of free electrons. Insulators have very few free electrons because their electrons are tightly bound to their atoms.

Resistance

• Conductors exhibit low electrical resistance, while insulators have high electrical resistance. Semiconductors have intermediate resistance.

Examples

• Common examples of conductors include metals such as copper, aluminum, gold, and silver. Silicon and germanium are the most common examples of semiconductor materials. Meanwhile, examples of insulators include materials like rubber, glass, plastic, and ceramics.

Applications

• Conductors are used extensively in electrical wiring, electronic devices, household appliances, and transmission lines due to their excellent conductivity properties. Semiconductors are important in the manufacturing of electronic components such as transistors, diodes, integrated circuits (ICs), LEDs, and solar cells. Insulators are used for protective coatings, cable sheathing, and circuit board protection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, conductors, semiconductors, and insulators are three distinct types of materials with varying electrical properties and applications. Conductors allow easy flow of electric current, semiconductors have controllable conductivity, and insulators prevent current flow. Understanding the difference between conductor semiconductor and insulator is important for designing and utilizing electronic systems effectively.

FAQ: Conductor Semiconductor and Insulator

1. What is the energy gap in conductor semiconductor and insulator?

The energy gap, or band gap, is the energy difference between the valence band (occupied by electrons) and the conduction band (where electrons can move freely) in a material. In conductors, the energy gap is negligible or nonexistent, while semiconductors have a moderate energy gap, and insulators have a large energy gap.

2. What are the 2 best examples of semiconductor materials?

The two best examples of semiconductor materials are silicon and germanium. Silicon is the most widely used semiconductor due to its abundant availability, excellent electrical properties, and ability to form a stable oxide layer for device fabrication. Germanium, while less common than silicon, offers high electron mobility, making it suitable for high-speed electronic applications.

3. Is plastic a semiconductor?

Plastic is typically an insulator. This means it has very high electrical resistance and does not allow electric current to flow through it easily. However, there are some conductive polymers that can exhibit semiconductor-like properties. But standard plastic materials do not function as semiconductors.

4. Is glass a semiconductor?

No, glass is not a semiconductor. Glass is an insulator, meaning it has very high electrical resistance and does not allow electric current to flow through it easily.

Reference:

1. “Electrical Conductor.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Semiconductor.” Encyclopedia Britannica.
3. “Insulator.” Encyclopedia Britannica.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Mu metal submarine telegraph cable construction” By SpinningSpark real life identity: SHA-1 commitment ba62ca25da3fee2f8f36c101994f571c151abee7 – Self created using Inkscape based on this photograph (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Pn-junction-equilibrium” By I, TheNoise (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia