Correct answer: (b) Silicon
Explanation
- A
Aluminium
Aluminium is a metal and a good electrical conductor, used in power lines. It is not a semiconductor. This option is not the key.
- B
Silicon
Silicon is a group-14 metalloid and the principal elemental semiconductor of the electronics industry. Its conductivity lies between metals and insulators and is tunable by doping. This option is the official key.
- C
Silver
Silver is the best metallic electrical conductor among common metals, not a semiconductor. This option is therefore wrong.
- D
Lead
Lead is a metal. It is not used as a semiconductor wafer material. This option is not the key.
Summary. Official key is (b) Silicon. Semiconductors have resistivity between conductors and insulators; silicon and germanium are the classic elemental examples. Aluminium, silver and lead are metals and conduct freely. Only silicon in this list is a semiconductor.
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