p156-195 Manga Questions

1. What is an example of a semiconductor device?

A transistor is an example of a semiconductor device.

2. Why is silicon used in the manufacture of semiconductors? 

Silicon is used in the manufacture of semiconductors because the purity of the refined silicon used in semiconductors is 99.999999999% pure. And since a silicon atom has four valence electrons in its outermost shell, they form a firm, regular crystal, which prohibits electricity from hardly passing through it. But can create a free electron when combined with other materials to cause electrical conductivity to increase.

3. Discuss the difference using an example of the difference between and N-type and P-type semiconductor.

N-Type: the electron becomes a carrier of electricity (n stands for negative) when an element like phosphorus is mixed with a silicon crystal.

P-Type: the hole created when an element like boron is bonded with silicon, becomes the carrier of electricity (the hole has a positive electrical property, p for positive)

4. In your own words describe what a diode does and the role of N and P type semiconductors.

When two semiconductors, one N and one P type are attached, it creates a diode. Because of N and P type conductors in the diode, current can be restricted or allowed to flow, taking into account their charges and the direction of the dry cell in a circuit.

5. What is rectification?

Rectification causes the current to flow to the load for only one direction of the AC power supply when a single diode is connected to said AC power supply.

6. What causes color in an LED? Give and example of what causes a particular color.

Because the wavelength of the light emitted depends on the raw material of the semiconductor, various colors of light can be created. For instance, aluminum gallium arsenide (AIGaAs) is one semiconductor material that is used to create red LEDs.

7. What is the relationship between base current and collector current in a transistor?

In a transistor, the base current can be used to adjust the collector current, because the collector current, which is otherwise equal to base current in other situations, is much greater than the base current because of transistors. Therefore, the collector current will change significantly in response to a slight change in the base current.

8. What are the advantages of a transistor over a switch?

A transistor has no physical contact, so it doesn't wear out and is less likely to fail, compared to a switch. Also, since it can be turned off and on rapidly, control can be fine tuned.