Chapter 21, Problem 21.77SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Provide the MO energy level diagrams for a semiconductor and a metallic conductor and use these images to explain why a semiconductor is less conductive.

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 less conductive than a conductor.