Semiconductors, Insulators & Conductors, Basic Introduction, N type vs P type Semiconductor #2

This chemistry video tutorial provides a basic introduction into semiconductors, insulators and conductors. It explains the difference between an N-type semiconductor a P-type semiconductor. Conductors are metals like copper and silver which conduct electricity very well. Insulators are nonmetals like rubber or glass do not conduct electricity. Semiconductors are metalloids such as silicon and germanium which can conductor a small amount of electricity. The conductivity increases with temperature for semiconductors. For metals, the conductivity decreases with increasing temperature. Metals conduct electricity due to free flowing electrons. In an N-type semiconductor, the charge carriers are electrons. In a P-type semiconductor, the charge carriers are holes which are electron vacancies. An N-type semiconductor can be made by doping silicon with phosphorus which is has one more valence electron than silicon. A P-type semiconductor can be made by doping silicon with Aluminum which has one less valence electron than silicon.