General Science • PhysicsMedium
What happens to the electrical resistance of a pure semiconductor material when its temperature is increased from absolute zero to room temperature?
A. Resistance increases linearly with temperature
B. Resistance decreases as more charge carriers are thermally excited✓ Correct Answer
C. Resistance remains completely unchanged
D. Resistance first decreases and then becomes infinite
💡 Solution & Explanation
Semiconductors exhibit a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, meaning their resistance decreases as temperature rises because thermal energy excites more valence electrons into the conduction band. Metals behave oppositely due to increased lattice vibrations hindering electron flow. Silicon and germanium are classic examples of intrinsic semiconductors displaying this behavior.
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