PLZ HELP!!!!! I have a midterm
what is the difference between insulators and semi-conductors?

Question

theeric · Answer

Hi! Do you know what either of them are?

anonymous · Answer

um yea insulators are electrons that don't move freely and semi-conductors limit the movement of electrons but doesn't that mean that they are the same?

theeric · Answer

It's not that insulators $\sf are$ electrons. They are materials that don't allow electrons to move freely easily!

Semi-conductors allow the electrons to flow, but it takes a bit of energy.

Conductors allow the electrons to flow freely very easily.

I can't help you with quiz questions, but I wish you the best of luck!

anonymous · Answer

this isnt a quiz i have the midterm on monday

theeric · Answer

Oh, I guess that makes sense, since today is the weekend.

Well, then!

theeric · Answer

Still, the answer is pretty much in my response! You can compare the two.

Insulators don't allow the flow of electrons much at all. They have very poor conductivity.

Semi-conductors, however, do allow electrons with enough energy to flow.

anonymous · Answer

oh okay. thx i get it now. i thought that insulators just like semi-conductors had limitations on the movement of electrons. thx so much!

theeric · Answer

You're welcome!
In electronic circuits, insulators are used to make sure that the electrons can't escape easily! So, protective wire cover things, and the caps on small electronic components, would be insulative.

Semi-conductors would be used to carry current in some applications! So that's a big difference there.