Why do semi-conductors have more resistance than conductors?

Answer 1

To put it simply, good conductors have "free" electrons which can move when an electric field is applied. These electrons are not bound to their atoms. In semiconductors, these electrons are "almost" free; they are bound to their atoms, but are easily dislodged. Increasing the temperature can free electrons, so semiconductor conductivity increases with increasing temperature (unlike conductors which do the opposite). Another way to increase conductivity of semiconductors (and actually control it) is to add impurities, called doping. These impurities have atoms that fit into the semiconductor's atomic lattice, but either have an extra electron (which becomes free) or a vacancy (hole) which acts like a positive charge that is free.

Answer 2

because resistance increases as conductivity decreases. and you know that semi conductors are less conductive than conductors, so the resistance will be higher.

it means, it will be harder for the electrons to pass through a semi conductor compared to a conductor

Answer 3

Conductance: The reciprocal of resistance. It is the ratio of current passing through a material to the potential difference at its ends.

Conduction band; Conduction level: Energy level at which electrons are not bound to (orbiting) a specific atomic nucleus but are free to wander among the atoms. An energy band in which electrons can move freely in a solid, producing a net transport of charge.

Conductivity: The ability of a material to conduct electric current. It is expressed in terms of the current per unit of applied voltage. It is the reciprocal of resistivity.

Semiconductor: Any material that has a limited capacity for conducting an electric current. Certain semiconductors, including silicon, gallium arsenide, copper indium diselenide, and cadmium telluride, are uniquely suited to the photovoltaic conversion process.

Electrical resistance is a measure of the degree to which an object opposes the passage of an electric current. The SI unit of electrical resistance is the ohm. Its reciprocal quantity is electrical conductance measured in siemens.

The quantity of resistance in an electric circuit determines the amount of current flowing in the circuit for any given voltage applied to the circuit.


Where R is the resistance of the object, usually measured in ohms, equivalent to J·s/C2
V is the potential difference across the object, usually measured in volts
I is the current passing through the object, usually measured in amperes
For a wide variety of materials and conditions, the electrical resistance does not depend on the amount of current flowing or the amount of applied voltage.

Semiconductors have properties that are part-way between those of metals and of insulators. A silicon boule has a greyish metallic sheen, like a metal, but is brittle, like glass. It is possible to manipulate the resistive properties of semiconductor materials by doping those materials with atomic elements, such as arsenic or boron, which create electrons or holes which can move across the material lattice.

Answer 4

It has to do with what there made of & how conductive it is. The more conductive the easier electricity flowes.