Final answer:
A semiconductor is a material that conducts electricity better than an insulator but not as well as a conductor. Silicon is the most commonly used semiconductor material. Heat transfer is the process of transferring heat from one object or substance to another, and it can be described using the rate of heat transfer formula and the thermal conductivity of the material.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physics: Semiconductor Physics
A semiconductor is a material that conducts electricity better than an insulator but not as well as a conductor. Silicon is the most commonly used semiconductor material. It has a small energy gap between the valence band and the conduction band, which allows a substantial number of electrons to be thermally excited from the valence band into the conduction band at room temperature. This property forms the basis of modern electronics, including microchips.
Heat Transfer: Thermal Conductivity
Heat transfer refers to the transfer of heat energy from one object or substance to another. The rate of heat transfer can be calculated using the formula Q/t = kA(T2 - T1)/d, where Q/t is the rate of heat transfer, k is the thermal conductivity of the material, A and d are the surface area and thickness of the material, and (T2 - T1) is the temperature difference across the material. The thermal conductivity (k) is a property of the material, and it determines how well the material conducts heat. Higher thermal conductivity values indicate better heat conduction.