Question:easy

In the case of insulators, a band gap and conduction band is respectively

Show Hint

If a conduction band is even partially filled, the material conducts electricity. An insulator's entire job is to block current, which mathematically guarantees its conduction band must be completely empty due to the massive energy barrier below it.
Updated On: Jun 4, 2026
  • very high, empty
  • very low, partially filled
  • very high, completely filled
  • very low, empty
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall the band picture.
In a solid, electrons live in a filled valence band and an empty conduction band, with an energy gap between them. The size of this gap decides if the material conducts.

Step 2: Look at conductors.
In metals the two bands overlap or the conduction band is partly filled. So there is no real gap, and current flows easily.

Step 3: Look at semiconductors.
Here the gap is small (less than about $3$ eV). At room temperature a few electrons can jump across, giving some conduction.

Step 4: Look at insulators.
Insulators have a very large gap (often $6$ eV or more). This big gap is the key feature.

Step 5: See what the big gap does.
Because the gap is so wide, ordinary heat energy cannot push electrons across it. So electrons stay stuck in the valence band.

Step 6: State the conduction band condition.
Since no electrons cross over, the conduction band stays empty.

Step 7: Match the option.
For insulators the band gap is very high and the conduction band is empty, which is option (1).
\[ \boxed{\text{very high, empty}} \]
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