Chapter 42, Problem 42.57PP

To determine

The correct statement that gives the best explanation for the temperature dependence of the current–voltage characteristics:

1. a) The band gap is larger, so the electron–hole pairs have more energy, which causes the current at a given voltage to be larger.
2. b) More electrons can move to the conduction band, which causes the current at a given voltage to be larger.
3. c) All of the electrons in the valence band move to the conduction band, and the diode behaves like a metal and follows Ohm’s law.
4. d) The acceptor and donor impurity atoms are free to move through the material, which causes the current at a given voltage to be larger.