Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
A thin rod of pure germanium is used to sense temperature. Its resistance is at K. Over a short range of temperature, we assume that its resistance is in proportion to , where eV and . The assumption leaves out the change of mobility and of the slow power of in the carrier number, so the numbers are estimates. A technician warms the rod from K to K. Find the new resistance. Then find the temperature at which the resistance falls to a quarter of its value at K, which is . Last, find the fractional change of the resistance for each kelvin near K. A metal changes by only a few tenths of a per cent for each kelvin, and its sign is the opposite.
A photon of wavelength has energy , with . It lifts an electron across a gap if , so . The share of electrons that heat lifts across goes as , with .
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Given. at K. The model is .
Plan. The unknown constant cancels in a ratio. Use .
Step 1. The constant. K.
Step 2. The resistance at 330 K. The exponent is . So .
Step 3. The temperature for . We want , so the exponent is . Then , so K.
Step 4. The change for each kelvin. , which is for each kelvin.
Answer: , K and for each kelvin.
Check. The resistance falls as the rod warms, the sign of a semiconductor. The size is more than ten times that of a metal, which is why a semiconductor makes a sensitive thermometer.
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