What does Semiconductors mean?

Answer 1

A semiconductor is a material whose electrical conductivity properties fall between that of a conductor and that of an insulator.

Answer 2

The atoms that make up any material come in three forms: metal, non-metal and some few in between. Metals are conductors because they have few electrons in the outer electron sphere which can easily be replaced and used for concuting electricity. Non-metals usually act as insulators because their outer electrons cannot be easily replaced thus inhibiting electron flow. Those atoms in between do not conduct electricity as easily as metals but are not as good insulators as non-metals either so they are called semi-conductors.

The great thing about semi-conductors is that they lower their resistance to electricity when an electric field is applied to them. This allows for "tricks" like diodes which let electricity flow in only one direction and transistors which act as a switch letting electricity flow or not depending on the presence or absence of another current. The last thing is the basis for micro chips which in turn are the basis of any modern electronic device.

Answer 3

Semiconductor means having conducting properties between conductors and insulators. They have forbidden energy gap of 1ev, which can be easily overcome by providing supply . At room temperature they act like insulators and after providing supply they act as an conductor. They Have Negative temperature coeffecient - Means on increasing temperature resistivity decreases. By increasing doping their conducting properties can be increased. Kirti