Question

The gauge factor of semiconductor strain gauge is higher than ordinary metal wire resistive strain gauge because of:

• A. piezoresistive effect
• B. temperature effect
• C. zener breakdown in the material
• D. its small size

Hint:

The piezoresistive effect is the primary reason for the high gauge factor in semiconductor strain gauges. This effect is not seen in metals, which is why semiconductors are preferred for applications requiring high sensitivity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The gauge factor of a strain gauge is defined as the ratio of relative change in electrical resistance to the mechanical strain.
For semiconductor strain gauges, the gauge factor is significantly higher than for metallic strain gauges due to the piezoresistive effect. This effect refers to the change in resistivity of semiconductor materials when subjected to mechanical strain.
On the other hand, temperature effect and zener breakdown do not directly contribute to the high gauge factor in semiconductor strain gauges. Additionally, while small size is a characteristic of semiconductor gauges, it does not directly affect the gauge factor.