Chapter 29.1, Problem 18PP

To determine

To draw a conclusion about the behavior of germanium devices as compared to silicon devices at temperatures in excess of the boiling point of the water.

Answer to Problem 18PP

The germanium atom becomes unstable on increasing the temperature up-to the boiling point of the water.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Silicon atom has less number of free electrons as compare to Germanium atom. So, the collector cut off current is small in silicon as compare to germanium.

On varying the temperature, the collector cut off current of silicon is smaller than germanium the energy of germanium crystal gets excited rapidly with the increase in temperature. So, at the temperature of 100°C (approximate to the boiling point), the structure of the germanium becomes unstable and gets destroyed. On the other side, silicon can tolerate temperature up-to 150°C. The maximum temperature in which germanium can operate is 70°C.

Conclusion:

Hence, the germanium atom does not tolerate high temperature while silicon atom can still exit in such temperature.