What happens to the Fermi level in a p-type semiconductor compared to an intrins
Practice Questions
Q1
What happens to the Fermi level in a p-type semiconductor compared to an intrinsic semiconductor?
Moves up
Moves down
Remains the same
Becomes zero
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What happens to the Fermi level in a p-type semiconductor compared to an intrinsic semiconductor?
Step 1: Understand what the Fermi level is. It is the energy level at which the probability of finding an electron is 50%.
Step 2: Know that in an intrinsic semiconductor, the Fermi level is located in the middle of the energy gap between the valence band and the conduction band.
Step 3: Learn that a p-type semiconductor is created by adding acceptor impurities, which create holes (missing electrons) in the valence band.
Step 4: Realize that the presence of more holes means that the energy levels where electrons can be found are lower, which affects the Fermi level.
Step 5: Conclude that in a p-type semiconductor, the Fermi level moves closer to the valence band compared to the intrinsic semiconductor because of the increased concentration of holes.
