Classification of Materials Based On Forbidden Gap

12/1/2019 Classification of materials based on forbidden gap
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Electronics devices and circuits >> Atomic physics >>Classification of materials
physics based on forbidden gap
Atom Classification of materials

Orbit based on forbidden gap
levels of
electrons Forbidden gap plays a major role for determining the
Valence electrical conductivity of material. Based on the forbidden

electrons gap materials are classified in to three types, they are
Free
electrons Insulators
Ionization Conductors
Chemical
semiconductors
bond
Ionic Insulators
bond
The materials which does not allow the flow of electric
Covalent
bond current through them are called as insulators. Insulators
Metallic are also called as poor conductors of electricity.
bond
Electron
volt
Energy
band
theory in
solids
https://www.physics-and-radio-electronics.com/electronic-devices-and-circuits/introduction/classification-of-materials-based-on-forbidden-gap.html 1/6
Classification
of
materials
Electric
current
Normally, in insulators the valence band is fully occupied
with electrons due to sharing of outer most orbit electrons

with the neighboring atoms. Where as conduction band is
empty, I.e, no electrons are present in conduction band.
The forbidden gap between the valence band and

conduction band is very large in insulators. The energy
gap of insulator is approximately equal to 15 electron
volts (eV).
The electrons in valence band cannot move because they

are locked up between the atoms. In order move the
valence band electrons in to conduction band large

amount of external energy is applied which is equal to the
forbidden gap. But in insulators, this is practically

impossible to move the valence band electrons in to
conduction band.
Rubber, wood, diamond, plastic are some examples of

insulators. Insulators such as plastics are used for coating
of electrical wires. These insulators prevent the flow of

electricity to unwanted points and protect us from electric
shocks.
Conductors
The materials which easily allow the flow of electric

current through them are called as conductors. Metals
such as copper, silver, iron, aluminum etc. are good

conductors of electricity.
In a conductor, valence band and conduction band

overlap each other as shown in figure. Therefore, there is
no forbidden gap in a conductor.
A small amount of applied external energy provides
enough energy for the valence band electrons to move in
to conduction band. Therefore, more number of valence
band electrons can easily moves in to the conduction

band.
When valence band electrons moves to conduction band
they becomes free electrons. The electrons present in the

conduction band are not attached to the nucleus of a
atom.
In conductors, large number of electrons are present in
conduction band at room temperature, I.e, conduction

band is almost full with electrons. Where as valence band
is partially occupied with electrons. The electrons present
in the conduction band moves freely by carrying the
electric current from one point to other.
Semiconductors
The material which has electrical conductivity between
that of a conductor and an insulator is called as
semiconductor. Silicon, germanium and graphite are

some examples of semiconductors.
In semiconductors, the forbidden gap between valence
band and conduction band is very small. It has a
forbidden gap of about 1 electron volt (eV).
At low temperature, the valence band is completely
occupied with electrons and conduction band is empty
because the electrons in the valence band does not have
enough energy to move in to conduction band. Therefore,
semiconductor behaves as an insulator at low

temperature.
However, at room temperature some of the electrons in
valence band gains enough energy in the form of heat

and moves in to conduction band.
When the temperature is goes on increasing, the number
of valence band electrons moving in to conduction band is

also increases. This shows that electrical conductivity of
the semiconductor increases with increase in
temperature. I.e. a semiconductor has negative
temperature co-efficient of resistance.
The resistance of semiconductor decreases with increase
in temperature.
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12/1/2019 Classification of materials based on forbidden gap

Physics | Electronic Devices & Circuits | Electromagnetics | SAT Communication |

Atom Classification of materials

Valence electrical conductivity of material. Based on the forbidden

Normally, in insulators the valence band is fully occupied

with electrons due to sharing of outer most orbit electrons

The forbidden gap between the valence band and

The electrons in valence band cannot move because they

valence band electrons in to conduction band large

forbidden gap. But in insulators, this is practically

Rubber, wood, diamond, plastic are some examples of

of electrical wires. These insulators prevent the flow of

The materials which easily allow the flow of electric

such as copper, silver, iron, aluminum etc. are good

In a conductor, valence band and conduction band

no forbidden gap in a conductor.

A small amount of applied external energy provides

enough energy for the valence band electrons to move in

to conduction band. Therefore, more number of valence

band electrons can easily moves in to the conduction

When valence band electrons moves to conduction band

they becomes free electrons. The electrons present in the

In conductors, large number of electrons are present in

conduction band at room temperature, I.e, conduction

is partially occupied with electrons. The electrons present

in the conduction band moves freely by carrying the

electric current from one point to other.

The material which has electrical conductivity between

that of a conductor and an insulator is called as

semiconductor. Silicon, germanium and graphite are

In semiconductors, the forbidden gap between valence

band and conduction band is very small. It has a

forbidden gap of about 1 electron volt (eV).

At low temperature, the valence band is completely

occupied with electrons and conduction band is empty

because the electrons in the valence band does not have

enough energy to move in to conduction band. Therefore,

semiconductor behaves as an insulator at low

However, at room temperature some of the electrons in

valence band gains enough energy in the form of heat

When the temperature is goes on increasing, the number

of valence band electrons moving in to conduction band is

the semiconductor increases with increase in

temperature. I.e. a semiconductor has negative

temperature co-efficient of resistance.

The resistance of semiconductor decreases with increase

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