9.
Which statement accurately describes an n-type semiconductor?
It has fewer electrons available.
It is made of nickel.
It has extra electrons available.
It is also called a transistor.
The statement that accurately describes an n-type semiconductor is that it has extra electrons available.
The statement that accurately describes an n-type semiconductor is: "It has extra electrons available."
To understand why this statement is correct, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of semiconductor materials and their properties.
Semiconductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between that of conductors (such as metals) and insulators (such as wood or rubber). The conductivity of a semiconductor can be modified by adding impurities to its crystal lattice. These impurities are intentionally introduced during the manufacturing process and are called "dopants."
In the case of n-type semiconductors, a dopant is added that introduces extra electrons into the crystal structure. This dopant is usually an element from the group of elements known as "Group V" on the periodic table, such as phosphorus or arsenic.
The extra electrons introduced by the dopant become the majority charge carriers in the n-type semiconductor. These free electrons are responsible for conductivity, allowing current to flow through the material. The presence of these extra electrons results in the n-type semiconductor having a surplus of negatively charged carriers, hence the name "n-type" (where "n" stands for negative).
In contrast, p-type semiconductors have a different type of dopant that introduces "holes" or deficiencies of electrons in the crystal lattice. These holes act as positive charge carriers, and the p-type semiconductor has a surplus of positive carriers, resulting in its name "p-type" (where "p" stands for positive).
It is worth noting that while semiconductors (including n-type semiconductors) are used in the production of transistors, being an n-type semiconductor does not mean that a material is a transistor. Transistors are specific electronic devices that utilize the properties of semiconductors, including n-type and p-type materials, to amplify or switch electronic signals.