The outermost shell in an atom is called valence shell and the electrons in this

shell are called valence electrons. The atom minus its valence shell is referred to
as core of the atom. Thus an atom can be modeled simply as a core surrounded by
the valence electrons. If sufficient energy is provided, the valence electrons may
leave the atom and move into what is called a conduction band. The energy
absorbed by the electron is used to overcome the energy gap between the valence
band and the conduction band. The electron in the conduction band is now a free
electron and is not associated with any particular atom.

 A material that readily allows electric current to flow through it is called a

conductor. In conductor atoms the valence and conduction bands overlap
each other so that there are a large number of free
electrons in the material supporting the current flow.

 A material that doesn’t readily allow current to flow

through it is called an insulator. In insulators the
energy gap between the valence band and the
conduction band is very wide and the chances of valence
electrons crossing it over into the conduction band and
hence becoming free are very limited.

 Semiconductors lie somewhere between

conductors and insulators in their ability to
conduct electric current. The energy gap
between their valence and conduction band
is narrower than in the insulators but still
it is wide enough to stop electrons from
crossing it over normally. However, when
supplied with sufficient energy the valence
electrons may actually cross the gap over
and be free electrons.