Understanding Electrical Conductivity and Semiconductor Devices

Why is copper commonly used in electrical wiring?

• It is heavy

• It is highly insulative

• It has a high number of free electrons

• It is inexpensive

What is the primary function of rubber in electrical wires?

• To add color

• To conduct electricity

• To insulate

• To increase flexibility

What allows electrons in conductors to move freely?

• Closeness to the nucleus

• Lack of free electrons

• High resistance

• Overlap of conduction band and valence shell

What is the role of the conduction band in an atom?

• It holds the nucleus together

• It allows electrons to become free if reached

• It stores extra neutrons

• It prevents electron movement

What is the effect of doping silicon with phosphorus?

• It removes free electrons

• It adds free electrons

• It decreases conductivity

• It makes silicon heavier

What creates the depletion region in a PN junction?

• The movement of protons

• The migration of electrons to fill holes

• The separation of neutrons

• The insulation layer

What is the typical potential difference across a diode's depletion region?

• 1.0 volts

• 0.7 volts

• 0.5 volts

• 0.3 volts

What happens when a diode is forward biased?

• It blocks all current

• It allows current to flow

• It stops electron movement

• It doubles the voltage

How does reverse bias affect a diode?

• It increases current flow

• It decreases the depletion region

• It expands the barrier, blocking current

• It makes the diode conduct better

What is the purpose of the electric field in a diode?

• To increase the current

• To prevent further electron movement across the junction

• To generate light

• To reduce the voltage