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30 August, 20:25

Classify each of the following as a conductor, semiconductor, or insulator. Air, Gold, Silicon, Rubber, Aluminum.

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  1. 30 August, 22:08
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    Conductors and Insulators

    Conductors

    As was shown in Figure 741.1.2, the nucleus of the copper atom

    contains 29 protons. A neutral copper atom must therefore have 29

    electrons distributed amongst its various shells. Shells k, 1, and m are

    filled to capacity with a total of 28 electrons, so there is only one

    electron in the n shell. The outermost shell of an atom, the n shell in

    this case, is called the valence shell, and the number of electrons it

    contains strongly influences the electrical properties of the element

    that the atom represents.

    figure 741.2.1 Free electron

    (click to activate)

    Since electrons in the valence shell are the farthest removed from

    their nucleus, they experience the least force of attraction to the

    nucleus. Coupled with the fact that electrons in a nearly empty shell

    are easily dislodged from that shell, we find that the lone electron in

    the valence shell of copper can readily vacate that shell. When an

    electron breaks away from its 'parent' atom, it is called a free

    electron, since it is then free to wander randomly through the

    material.

    An atom producing such a free electron acquires a net positive

    charge, because its total number of protons is then one greater than

    its total number of electrons. Such an atom is called a positive ion.

    To become free, an electron must acquire enough energy to

    overcome the force that binds it to its nucleus. In copper, there is

    enough heat energy at ordinary room temperatures to liberate a vast

    number of the weakly held valence electrons.
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