Question

Width of forbidden energy gap in the semiconductor is approximately:

• A. 1 eV
• B. 10 eV
• C. 100 eV
• D. 0.01 eV

Hint:

Semiconductors have energy gaps between conductors and insulators, typically near 1 eV.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The forbidden energy gap, also known as the band gap, is the energy difference between the valence band and the conduction band in a semiconductor. For common semiconductors such as silicon and germanium, this energy gap is approximately: \[ E_g \approx 1 \, \text{eV}. \] Specifically, silicon has a band gap of about 1.1 eV, while germanium's band gap is about 0.7 eV. This small energy gap allows these materials to conduct electricity under certain conditions, making them suitable for electronic devices.