How does temperature affect semiconductor conductivity?

As temperature increases, the conductivity of semiconductors increases, making the correct choice accurate. This phenomenon is primarily due to the increased thermal energy available to charge carriers (electrons and holes) within the semiconductor material.

At higher temperatures, more electrons can gain sufficient energy to jump from the valence band to the conduction band, thereby generating additional charge carriers. As a result, the concentration of free charge carriers increases, enhancing the overall conductivity of the semiconductor. This behavior contrasts with metals, where conductivity generally decreases with increasing temperature due to increased lattice vibrations that scatter electrons.

Understanding the behavior of semiconductors with temperature is vital for the development of various electronic components, such as diodes and transistors, which rely on the manipulation of conductivity based on thermal conditions.