What happens to the resistance of a semiconductor as it is illuminated? (2022)

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Question: What happens to the resistance of a semiconductor as it is illuminated? (2022)

Options:

Correct Answer: Decreases

Exam Year: 2022

Solution:

The resistance of a semiconductor decreases when it is illuminated due to the generation of electron-hole pairs.

What happens to the resistance of a semiconductor as it is illuminated? (2022)

What happens to the resistance of a semiconductor as it is illuminated? (2022)

Step 1: Understand what a semiconductor is. A semiconductor is a material that can conduct electricity under certain conditions, like silicon.
Step 2: Know that semiconductors have a certain level of resistance, which is how much they resist the flow of electricity.
Step 3: Learn about illumination. When light shines on a semiconductor, it can provide energy to the material.
Step 4: Realize that this energy from the light can create electron-hole pairs. An electron is a negatively charged particle, and a hole is a place where an electron is missing, acting like a positively charged particle.
Step 5: Understand that when more electron-hole pairs are created, there are more charge carriers available to conduct electricity.
Step 6: Conclude that because there are more charge carriers, the resistance of the semiconductor decreases when it is illuminated.

Photoconductivity – The phenomenon where the electrical conductivity of a semiconductor increases when it is exposed to light, leading to a decrease in resistance due to the generation of electron-hole pairs.