What is the Difference Between Conductor Semiconductor and Insulator?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between conductors, semiconductors, and insulators lies in their levels of conductivity, which refers to their ability to allow energy, such as electricity, heat, or sound, to flow through them. Here is a summary of their characteristics:
- Conductors: These materials have high conductivity, meaning they allow electric current to flow through them easily. They have low resistance and are used in electrical applications where a continuous path for current is needed. Some common conductors include copper, gold, and aluminum.
- Semiconductors: Semiconductors have moderate conductivity and are materials whose conductivity lies between conductors and insulators. They can act as both conductors and insulators, depending on the conditions. Semiconductors, such as silicon and germanium, are commonly used in the manufacturing of solid-state electronic devices. Their conductivity can be increased by adding impurities, a process known as doping.
- Insulators: Insulators have low conductivity and do not allow the flow of current. They are used for protection against electric shocks due to their high electrical resistance. Some common insulators include rubber, glass, and air. Insulators have a wide range of applications, including wall insulation, protective coatings, and insulating materials for electrical wiring.
Conductors have very high conductivity (10-7 Ω/m), while semiconductors have intermediate conductivity (10-7 Ω/m to 10-13 Ω/m), and insulators have very low conductivity (10^8 Ω/m to 10^18 Ω/m). The conductivity of semiconductors decreases with an increase in temperature, while the resistance of insulators decreases with an increase in temperature.
Comparative Table: Conductor Semiconductor vs Insulator
Here is a table comparing the differences between conductors, semiconductors, and insulators:
Parameter | Conductor | Semiconductor | Insulator |
---|---|---|---|
Definition | A material that allows the flow of charge when applied with a voltage. | A material whose conductivity lies between conductor and insulator. | A material that does not conduct electricity. |
Conductivity | High conductivity (10^-7 Ω/m to 10^-13 Ω/m). | Intermediate conductivity (10^-7 Ω/m to 10^-13 Ω/m). | Low conductivity (10^-13 Ω/m). |
Temperature Coefficient of Resistance | The resistance of a conductor increases with an increase in temperature. | The resistance of a semiconductor decreases with increases in temperature. | The resistance of an insulator decreases with an increase in temperature. |
Conductivity and Temperature | The conductivity of conductors remains constant with temperature. | The conductivity of semiconductors increases with temperature. | The conductivity of insulators remains constant with temperature. |
Energy Gap | No energy gap. | Forbidden energy gap between valence and conduction bands is small (about 1 eV). | Forbidden energy gap between valence and conduction bands is large. |
Material Examples | Copper, aluminum, gold, and silver. | Silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide. | Mica and glass. |
Uses | Conductors are used in electrical wiring and connections. | Semiconductors are used in the manufacturing of solid-state electronic devices. | Insulators are used for protection against electric shocks and to insulate electrical wiring. |
Conductors allow the flow of electric current, semiconductors have intermediate conductivity and can act as both conductors and insulators depending on conditions, and insulators do not conduct electricity and are used for protection and insulation.
- Electrical Conductor vs Insulator
- Semiconductor vs Superconductor
- Thermal Insulator vs Thermal Conductor
- Semiconductor vs Metal
- Superconductor vs Perfect Conductor
- Insulator vs Dielectric
- Ohmic vs Non Ohmic Conductors
- Conductivity vs Conductance
- Conduction vs Induction
- Electronic vs Ionic Conduction
- Superfluidity vs Superconductivity
- Degenerate vs Non-degenerate Semiconductor
- Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Semiconductor
- Conduction vs Convection
- Electrical vs Thermal Conductivity
- Conductivity vs Molar Conductivity
- Capacitor vs Inductor
- Metallic vs Electrolytic Conduction
- Valence Band vs Conduction Band