Superconductors, semiconductors, conductors, and insulators

Factors that influence a material's resistance

Band Gap

A band gap is an energy range in a solid where no electrical states can exist. The gap generally refers to the energy difference between the top valence band in insulators and semiconductors. The band gap is a major factor in determining the electrical conductivity of a solid. Conductors either have a very small band gap or none at all due to the valence and conduction bands overlapping.

High Temperature Superconductors

• As the temperature of a material increases, then the resistance of an object increases as well. This means that the electrical current will decrease as the temperature increases.
• Objects with a alternating current (AC) have a higher voltage peak, therefore they have a higher voltage.
• As the current in a wire increases, the magnetic field strength increases as well.

High temperature superconductors are ceramic materials with layers of copper-oxide spaced out and containing barium and other atoms. There was extensive research done on these HTS's and although most HTS have similar features, there is no particular property that they all share.

OHM'S LAW

Conductors

Materials that conduct electricity are known as conductors. Conductors have charges that travel from one place to another when the electric potential difference is applied to the material. One of the most common conductors is a a wire. Wires make it possible for a charge to be easily transferred through a long, usually slim tube.

In conductors, the electric current is directly proportional to the voltage applied to them. The ratio of voltage to a current is known as as resistance. When the ratio (resistance) is constant over a wide range of voltages, you are dealing with an ohmic material. An ohmic material is said to follow OHM'S LAW, where I= electric current, V= voltage, and R= resistance.

*Note: Ohm's Law is not a fundamental law of

nature, and only applies to certain materials.

Superconductors

Semiconductors

Semiconductors are materials that are classified as conductors, yet exhibit properties of insulators. In certain scenarios, a semiconductor can potentially conduct electricity. Some factors that influence the semi conductors conductivity is the voltage, temperature, and even purity. Their potential flexibility is what makes these materials functional in many electronics.

A superconductor is a material that has zero resistance. This is beneficial because resistance causes a current to lose energy when traveling. A superconductor is made from a typical conductor and it will only function under certain circumstances. Usually, the superconductor is only active under specific temperatures, pressures, or currents.

Super conductors, semiconductors,

conductors and insulators