Question

The energy gaps $(E_g)$ between valence band and conduction band for diamond, silicon and germanium are in the order

• A. $E_{g}$ (diamond) $>E_{g}$ (silicon) $>E_{g}$ (germanium)
• B. $E_{g}$ (diamond) $< E_{g}$ (silicon) $< E_{g}$ (germanium)
• C. $E_{g}$ (diamond) $=E_{g}$ (silicon) $=E_{g}$ (germanium)
• D. $E_{g}$ (diamond) $>E_{g}$ (germanium) $>E_{g}$ (silicon)

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$E_{g}$ (diamond) $>E_{g}$ (silicon) $>E_{g}$ (germanium)

Answer 2

The energy gaps $\left( E _{ g }\right)$ between valence band and conduction band for diamond, silicon and germanium are in the order $E _{ g }$ (diamond) $> E _{ g }$ (silicon) $> E _{ g }$ (germanium) Because diamond is an insulator and non-metallic character decreases down the group.