One characteristic of semiconductors is that as they are heated, their resistance does what?

One characteristic of semiconductors is that as they are heated, their resistance does what?

• A. Increases
• B. Decreases
• C. Remains the same
• D. Varies with temperature

Answer: (B)

In semiconductors, as they are heated, their resistance decreases. This behavior is due to the increase in thermal energy, which facilitates the movement of charge carriers—electrons and holes—within the material. As the temperature rises, more electrons gain enough energy to jump into the conduction band, thus increasing the number of available charge carriers. Consequently, since resistance is inversely related to the number of charge carriers available for conduction, the overall resistance of the semiconductor decreases with increasing temperature. This property is a fundamental characteristic of intrinsic semiconductors and significantly influences their behavior in electronic devices.

In semiconductors, as they are heated, their resistance decreases. This behavior is due to the increase in thermal energy, which facilitates the movement of charge carriers—electrons and holes—within the material. As the temperature rises, more electrons gain enough energy to jump into the conduction band, thus increasing the number of available charge carriers. Consequently, since resistance is inversely related to the number of charge carriers available for conduction, the overall resistance of the semiconductor decreases with increasing temperature. This property is a fundamental characteristic of intrinsic semiconductors and significantly influences their behavior in electronic devices.