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The common 5 differences between N-type and P-type semiconductors are defined on the basis of charge carriers, doping elements, majority carriers, minority carriers, and electrical charge.
N-type and P-type semiconductors differ primarily in their charge carriers and doping elements. N-type semiconductors are doped with elements like phosphorus, introducing free electrons as charge carriers, making them negatively charged. Whereas, P-type semiconductors are doped with elements like boron, which creates holes that act as positive charge carriers. This results in N-type conducting through electrons and P-type through holes. The minority carriers also differ: in N-type, they are holes, whereas in P-type, they are electrons. Additionally, the N-type is negatively charged, while the P-type is positively charged, influencing their electrical properties.
Complete Answer:
Here are the 5 differences between N-type and P-type semiconductors:
| N-type Semiconductors | P-type Semiconductors |
| In N-type semiconductors, free electrons are the majority charge carriers. These electrons are extra electrons that do not belong to the atoms and can move freely through the material, which is why the semiconductor has a negative charge. | In P-type semiconductors, the majority charge carriers are holes. A hole is simply a missing electron in the atomic structure, and it behaves as a positive charge carrier because the absence of an electron creates a “positive” spot. |
| N-type semiconductors are doped with elements that have more valence electrons than the semiconductor material. For example, silicon is commonly doped with phosphorus (which has 5 valence electrons) to create extra electrons. | P-type semiconductors are doped with elements that have fewer valence electrons than the semiconductor material. For example, silicon is doped with boron (which has 3 valence electrons) to create “holes” in the structure. |
| In N-type semiconductors, electrons are the majority carriers. Since there are more electrons than holes, the material conducts electricity primarily through the movement of these free electrons. | In P-type semiconductors, holes are the majority carriers. These holes move through the material as electrons from nearby atoms jump into them, causing a shift in the position of the holes. |
| In N-type semiconductors, holes are the minority carriers. They are present in fewer quantities than electrons and play a less significant role in electrical conduction. | In P-type semiconductors, electrons are the minority carriers. These are present in smaller numbers and are responsible for conducting electricity, but not as effectively as the holes. |
| N-type semiconductors are negatively charged overall because of the surplus electrons. The extra electrons make the material have a negative charge. | P-type semiconductors are positively charged due to the “holes” created by the absence of electrons. These holes make the material have a positive charge. |
Common Physics Questions:
