Question

At what temperature does the semiconductor behave like a perfect insulator?
$\begin{align}
  & A.273.15{}^\circ C \\
 & B.-459.67{}^\circ F \\
 & C.-273{}^\circ F \\
 & D.T \\
\end{align}$
Where T is the room temperature.

Answer 1

Hint: Semiconductors behaving as insulators are given in kelvin. It is to be converted into the needed units in degree Celsius or in Fahrenheit. The semiconductors behave like an insulator at zero kelvin generally.

Complete step by step answer:
First of all let us take a look at what a semiconductor and insulator actually means. Materials that are having the properties to behave like conductors, as well as insulators under different conditions are called to be as semiconductors. We can also mention that the materials whose value of conductivity lies in between conductors and insulators. Germanium and Silicon are the examples for semiconductors. Insulators are the materials whose characters are far different from that of semiconductors, as they do not enter heat or electricity to pass through them. The reason for not allowing the heat or electricity to pass is because of the resistivity factor and they are not having any free electrons also. Plastic is an example of the insulator. A semiconductor acts like an ideal insulator at absolute zero temperature that is at zero kelvin. It is because the free electrons in the valence band of semiconductors will not carry enough thermal energy to overcome the forbidden energy gap at absolute zero. Therefore the semiconductors stop conduction and act as an insulator.
Absolute zero in Fahrenheit is given as $-459.67{}^\circ F$.

So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: Semiconductors are widely used in the creation of the various electronic devices like transistors, integrated circuits and diodes. The property of such devices is they are reliable, cheap in cost, easy to handle, and high power and efficiency.