Conductor vs. Semiconductor — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 8, 2024
Conductors allow free flow of electricity, whereas Semiconductors control it under conditions.
Difference Between Conductor and Semiconductor
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Conductors are materials that allow the free flow of electric current due to their abundance of free electrons. These materials, such as metals, have low resistance and readily conduct electricity. Whereas semiconductors have a conductivity level between that of conductors and insulators, which can be altered by adding impurities (doping), temperature changes, or exposure to light.
Semiconductors are known for their unique ability to control the flow of electricity, making them essential in electronic devices like diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits. On the other hand, conductors are primarily used in electrical circuits to connect different components and transfer electric power efficiently due to their low resistance and high conductivity.
The behavior of conductors is fairly consistent across different temperatures, with an increase in temperature slightly increasing their resistance. Conversely, the conductivity of semiconductors increases significantly with temperature, as more electrons gain enough energy to jump from the valence band to the conduction band, reducing resistance.
In terms of electronic band structure, conductors have overlapping valence and conduction bands, allowing electrons to move freely. Meanwhile, semiconductors have a small band gap between the valence and conduction bands; the size of this gap is crucial in determining the material's electrical properties and how it can be manipulated for various applications.
Conductors are typically used in applications requiring efficient transmission of electrical power or signals without significant control over the current. Whereas semiconductors are fundamental in the fabrication of electronic components that require the control of electrical current, such as in computing and digital communication.
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Comparison Chart
Conductivity
High, allows free flow of electricity
Variable, controlled by doping, light, temperature
Primary Use
Transfer and distribution of electric power
Control and amplification of electric signals
Temperature Behavior
Slight increase in resistance with temperature
Conductivity increases with temperature
Band Structure
Overlapping valence and conduction bands
Small gap between valence and conduction bands
Applications
Wiring, electrical circuits
Electronic devices, computers, solar cells
Compare with Definitions
Conductor
Conductors have a high ability to conduct electricity.
Copper wires are widely used as conductors in electrical wiring.
Semiconductor
Their conductivity increases with temperature.
Silicon's conductivity improves at higher temperatures, useful in electronics.
Conductor
Conductors have relatively stable conductivity across temperatures.
Aluminum is used in power lines for its stable conductivity.
Semiconductor
Semiconductors' conductivity can be modified.
Silicon, when doped with impurities, becomes a key material in semiconductors.
Conductor
Ideal for efficient power or signal transmission.
Copper is preferred for electrical circuits due to its efficiency.
Semiconductor
A small band gap allows control over electron flow.
Germanium's small band gap makes it suitable for early semiconductors.
Conductor
Abundance of free electrons facilitates current flow.
Silver, although expensive, is an excellent conductor due to its free electrons.
Semiconductor
Adding impurities alters electrical properties.
Doping silicon with phosphorus increases its conductivity for n-type semiconductors.
Conductor
Conductors have low resistance to electric current.
Gold is used in high-quality connectors due to its low resistance and corrosion resistance.
Semiconductor
Essential in making diodes, transistors, and ICs.
Gallium arsenide is used in high-speed semiconductor devices.
Conductor
One who is in charge of a railroad train, bus, or streetcar.
Semiconductor
A semiconductor material has an electrical conductivity value falling between that of a conductor, such as metallic copper, and an insulator, such as glass. Its resistivity falls as its temperature rises; metals behave in the opposite way.
Conductor
(Music) One who directs an orchestra or other such group.
Semiconductor
Any of various solid crystalline substances, such as germanium or silicon, having electrical conductivity greater than insulators but less than good conductors, and used especially as a base material for microchips and other electronic devices.
Conductor
(Physics) A substance or medium that conducts heat, light, sound, or especially an electric charge.
Semiconductor
An integrated circuit or other electronic component containing a semiconductor as a base material.
Conductor
A lightning rod, as on a house or barn.
Semiconductor
(physics) A substance with electrical properties intermediate between a good conductor and a good insulator.
Conductor
One who conducts or leads; a guide; a director.
Semiconductor
A substance as germanium or silicon whose electrical conductivity is intermediate between that of a metal and an insulator; its conductivity increases with temperature and in the presence of impurities
Conductor
(music) A person who conducts an orchestra, choir or other music ensemble; a professional whose occupation is conducting.
Semiconductor
A conductor made with semiconducting material
Conductor
(rail transport) A person who takes tickets on public transportation and also helps passengers.
Train conductor
Tram conductor
Conductor
(physics) Something that can transmit electricity, heat, light, or sound.
Conductor
(mathematics) An ideal of a ring that measures how far it is from being integrally closed
Conductor
A grooved sound or staff used for directing instruments, such as lithontriptic forceps; a director.
Conductor
(architecture) A leader.
Conductor
One who, or that which, conducts; a leader; a commander; a guide; a manager; a director.
Zeal, the blind conductor of the will.
Conductor
One in charge of a public conveyance, as of a railroad train or a street car.
Conductor
The leader or director of an orchestra or chorus.
Conductor
A substance or body capable of being a medium for the transmission of certain forces, esp. heat or electricity; specifically, a lightning rod.
Conductor
A grooved sound or staff used for directing instruments, as lithontriptic forceps, etc.; a director.
Conductor
Same as Leader.
Conductor
The person who leads a musical group
Conductor
A device designed to transmit electricity, heat, etc.
Conductor
A substance that readily conducts e.g. electricity and heat
Conductor
The person who collects fares on a public conveyance
Common Curiosities
What makes a material a good conductor?
A good conductor has a high number of free electrons and low resistance, allowing electricity to flow freely.
Why are semiconductors important in electronics?
They allow for the control and amplification of electric signals, making them essential in devices like computers and smartphones.
How do semiconductors differ from conductors in their atomic structure?
Semiconductors have a small band gap between their valence and conduction bands, unlike conductors which have overlapping bands.
Why is copper widely used as a conductor?
Copper has high conductivity, low resistance, and is relatively abundant and cost-effective, making it ideal for electrical wiring.
How does temperature affect conductors and semiconductors differently?
Conductors experience a slight increase in resistance with temperature, while semiconductors' conductivity increases significantly with temperature.
What role does the band gap play in semiconductors?
The band gap determines a semiconductor's electrical properties and how it can be manipulated for various applications.
How do semiconductors enable digital technology?
By controlling the flow of electricity, semiconductors can create binary signals (0s and 1s), which are fundamental to digital technology.
Can the conductivity of a semiconductor be changed?
Yes, by doping with impurities, changing temperature, or exposing to light, the conductivity of semiconductors can be significantly altered.
What is doping in the context of semiconductors?
Doping involves adding impurities to a semiconductor to change its electrical properties, enhancing conductivity.
Can semiconductors conduct electricity without any modifications?
Pure semiconductors have limited conductivity, but when doped or exposed to certain conditions, their conductivity significantly increases.
Are all metals good conductors?
Most metals are good conductors due to their free electrons, but some are better than others based on factors like resistivity and corrosion resistance.
What happens to a conductor's resistance as it is cooled?
A conductor's resistance decreases as it is cooled, and in some cases, materials can become superconductors at very low temperatures.
How does the use of conductors and semiconductors differ in technology?
Conductors are used for efficient power and signal transmission, while semiconductors are used in devices requiring control of electric current, like in computing and telecommunications.
Why is silicon the most widely used semiconductor material?
Silicon is abundant, cost-effective, and has suitable electrical properties when doped, making it ideal for a wide range of semiconductor applications.
What is an example of a semiconductor device?
A transistor is a semiconductor device that can amplify or switch electronic signals, crucial in digital circuits.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
