DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH

Name : K. Chandra Sekhar

Designation : Lecturer
Branch : Electrical & Electronics Engg.
Institute : Govt. Polytechnic, Hyderabad
Year/Semester : I Year
Subject : Elements of Electrical Engg.
Subject Code : EE-105
Topic : Electric Current- Ohm’s Law and Resistance
Duration : 50 Mts
Sub Topic : Distinguish between Conductor
Insulator and Semi Conductor
with reference to valence electron
Teaching Aids : PPT, Animation, Diagrams 1

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 RECAP

• Valence Electron

• Valence Band

• Conduction Band

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 OBJECTIVES
On completion of this period, you would be
able to know

• Classification of materials based on different

grounds.

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CLASSIFICATION OF MATERIALS

• Conductors

• Insulators

• Semi Conductors

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VARIOUS TYPES FOR CLASSIFICATION

• Valence Electron Theory

• Energy Band Theory

• Resistivity Value

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Based on valence electrons
If the valence electrons in an atom is less
than 4 , then that type of atom is called
Conductor.

Example : Aluminum
Atomic no : 13
Electronic configuration: 2,8,3

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 Aluminum (13)

First shell – 2
Second shell – 8
Third shell - 3

Fig.1 7

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 CONDUCTOR
Example 2 : Copper

Atomic number : 29

Electronic Configuration: 2,8,18,1

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 CONDUCTOR
Copper ( 29 )
First shell – 2
Second shell – 8
Third shell – 18
Fourth shell – 1

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Fig.2 EE105.3
Based on Energy Band

The Conductor materials are having the

following features
• The valence band and the conduction band
overlaps.
• No forbidden energy gap.
• Easier movement of electrons from valence band
to conduction band.

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CONDUCTOR

Conduction Band

Over lap (No energy gap)

Valence Band

Fig.3
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 Based on resistivity

If the resistivity of a material lies in between

10-8 Ω-m to 10-6 Ω-m then that type of
materials are known as Conductors.

Example : Al = 2.86 x 10-8 Ω-m

Cu =1.73 x 10-8 Ω-m
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 INSULATOR
Based on valence electrons

• If the valence electrons of an atom of a

material are greater than 4 then that type
of materials are called INSULATORS.
Example : Nitrogen
Atomic no: 7
Electronic Configuration : 2,5
13

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 Insulator

NITROGEN ( 7 )
• First Shell = 2
• Second shell =5

Fig.4 14

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 Insulator
Example: FLUORINE
Atomic number : 9
Electronic Configuration : 2, 7

First shell – 2
Second shell – 7

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Fig.5 EE105.3
 INSULATOR
Based on energy band
• The valence band conduction band are
separated by a long forbidden energy gap.

• No movement of electron from valence

band to conduction band.

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INSULATOR

Conduction Band

Large Energy Gap

Valence Band

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Fig.6
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 INSULATOR
Based on resistivity.
If the resistivity of a material lies in between
1012 Ω-m to1018 Ω-m then that type of materials
are called INSULATOR

Example : Mica – 1015 Ω-m

Rubber – 1016 Ω-m

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 SEMI CONDUCTOR

Based on valence electron:

• If the valence electrons of an atom are equal to 4,

it is a semiconductor.

Example : Carbon.
Atomic no : 6
Electronic Configuration : 2,4
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Carbon :
First shell – 2
Second shell – 4

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Fig.7
 SEMI CONDUCTOR
Example : Silicon

Atomic number = 14

Electronic configuration = 2,8,4

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 SEMI CONDUCTOR
Silicon :

First Shell – 2
Second Shell – 8
Third Shell - 4

Fig. 8
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 SEMI CONDUCTOR

Based on energy band

• The forbidden energy gap between valence band

and conduction band is very narrow.
• Empty conduction band.
• Filled valence band.

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SEMI CONDUCTOR
Conduction Band

Narrow Energy Gap

Valence Band

Fig.9
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 SEMI CONDUCTOR
Based on resistivity
• If the resistivity is between that of a conductor and
insulator.

Example :
Pure Germanium = 6.5 x 10-1 Ω-m
Pure Silicon = 2.0 x 103 Ω-m
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 COMPARISON BETWEEN CONDUCTOR,
INSULATOR & SEMI CONDUCTOR
Conductor Insulator Semi Conductor
• Valence
<4 >4 =4
electrons
• Energy Overlap Long Narrow
Gap
• Resistivity 10-8 Ω-m to 1012 Ω-m to 100 Ω-m to
10 -6 Ω-m 1018 Ω-m 102 Ω-m

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 COMPARISON BETWEEN CONDUCTOR,
INSULATOR & SEMI CONDUCTOR
Conductor Insulator Semi conductor
• Electricity Conducts Does not Partially conducts
conduct

• Charge Free No charge Electrons

carriers electrons Carriers and holes

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Comparison Between Conductor , Insulator &
Semi Conductor

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Fig.10
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 SUMMARY
In this lesson you learnt about
• Classification of materials based on different grounds.

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QUIZ

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1. The material which contains less than 4
valence electrons are called

a) Conductor
b) Semi Conductor
c) Insulator
d) None

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2. Choose the semi conductor from the
following

a) Aluminum
b) Copper
c) Silicon
d) diamond
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3. The materials which contains exactly four
valence electrons are known as
a) Conductor
b) Insulator
c) Semiconductor
d) None of the above

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4. The material which contains more than
4 valence electrons are called

a) Insulator
b) Semi Conductor
c) Conductor
d) None

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Define Conductor and mention two

materials used for the same.
2. Define Semi Conductor and mention two
materials.
3. Distinguish between conductor , insulator
and semi conductor.

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THANK YOU

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