Chapter 21, Problem 21.76SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Provide the MO energy level diagrams for a semiconductor and an insulator and use these images to explain how a semiconductor can conduct electricity.

Concept introduction:

• Molecular orbital theory is the combination of atomic orbitals of individual atoms to form molecular orbitals.
• A band is a set of MOs that are very closely spaced in energy and consequently MO theory for metals is often called band theory.
• A semiconductor is a material that has an electrical conductivity intermediate between that of a metal and that of an insulator

To classify: Why a semiconductor is more conductive than an insulator.