Semiconductor
A semiconductor is a material whose electrical conductivity is between a conductor and an
insulator. Its conductivity can be increased by adding impurity or increasing temperature. Example:
Silicon, Germanium.
Intrinsic Semiconductor
An intrinsic semiconductor is a pure semiconductor with no impurity added. In it, number of free
electrons and holes are equal and current is very small.
Extrinsic Semiconductor
An extrinsic semiconductor is formed by adding impurity to a pure semiconductor to increase
conductivity. It is of two types: P-type and N-type.
PN Junction
A PN junction is formed when P-type and N-type semiconductors are joined together. It is the basic
part of diodes and rectifiers.
Forward Biasing
In forward biasing, P-side is connected to positive terminal and N-side to negative terminal of
battery. Due to this, current flows easily.
Reverse Biasing
In reverse biasing, P-side is connected to negative terminal and N-side to positive terminal. Due to
this, current does not flow.
Half Wave Rectifier
A half wave rectifier converts AC into DC using only one diode. It allows current during only one half
cycle of AC.
Full Wave Rectifier
A full wave rectifier converts AC into DC using two or four diodes. It uses both half cycles of AC and
gives better output.
Transistor (PNP/NPN)
A transistor is a semiconductor device used for amplification and switching. It has three terminals:
emitter, base and collector.
Nature of Light
Light shows dual nature. It behaves like a wave in some experiments and like a particle in others.
Wave Theory of Light
According to wave theory, light travels in the form of electromagnetic waves and explains reflection
and refraction.
Corpuscular Theory of Light
According to corpuscular theory, light is made of very small particles called corpuscles. This theory
was proposed by Newton.
Band Gap Theory
Band gap theory explains the electrical properties of solids using valence band, conduction band
and energy gap.
Classification on Band Gap
On the basis of band gap: conductors have no gap, semiconductors have small gap and insulators
have large gap.
Formation of Energy Bands
When atoms combine to form solid, their energy levels overlap and form energy bands.
Laser
LASER produces highly intense, monochromatic and coherent light. It is used in medical and
industrial fields.
Maser
MASER works on the same principle as laser but produces microwaves instead of light.
Biot-Savart Law
Biot-Savart law gives the relation between magnetic field and current carrying conductor.
Magnetic Field of Solenoid
A solenoid produces strong and uniform magnetic field inside it when current flows.
Magnetic Field of Toroid
In a toroid, magnetic field is confined inside the circular core and is almost zero outside.
Magnetic Field
A magnetic field is the region around a magnet or current carrying conductor where magnetic force
can be felt.
Force on Current Carrying Conductor
When a current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a force due to
interaction.
Force on Charged Particle
A charged particle moving in a magnetic field experiences a force perpendicular to its motion.
Electric Field
An electric field is the region around a charged body where electric force acts on other charges.
Electric Field Lines
Electric field lines show the direction of electric field and their closeness shows field strength.
Electric Field of Infinite Sheet
Electric field due to an infinite charged sheet is constant and same at every point near the sheet.