When a small amount of impurity atoms are added to semiconductor, then generally its resistivity

When a small amount of impurity atoms are added to semiconductor, then generally its resistivity
  1. may increase or decrease depending upon the percentage of doping.
  2. increases.
  3. decreases.
  4. does not change.

Solution

When a small amount of Impurity atoms are added to a semiconductor, then generally its resistivity decreases. Explanation: The conductivity of a semiconductor is given by $\sigma=\mathrm{n}_{\mathrm{e}} \mathrm{e} \mu_{\mathrm{e}}+\mathrm{n}_{\mathrm{h}} \mathrm{e} \mu_{\mathrm{h}}$ where $n_e$ and $n_h=$ number of electrons and holes per unit volume and $\mu_{\mathrm{e}}$ and $\mu_{\mathrm{h}}=$ mobility of electrons and holes. When impurity atoms are added in a semiconductor, then the concentration of holes and electrons increases. So, the conductivity Increases and hence the resistivity $\left(\rho=\frac{1}{\sigma}\right)$ of semiconductors decreases.

Asked in: MHT CET 2024 (16 May Shift 2)

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