Answer
For metallic materials, there are vacant electron energy states adjacent to the highest filled state; thus, very little energy is required to excite large numbers of electrons into conducting states. These electrons are those that participate in the conduction process, and, because there are so many of them, metals are good electrical conductors.
There are no empty electron states adjacent to and above filled states for semiconductors and insulators, but rather, an energy band gap across which electrons must be excited in order to participate in the conduction process. Thermal excitation of electrons will occur, and the number of electrons excited will be less than for metals, and will depend on the band gap energy. For semiconductors, the band gap is narrower than for insulators; consequently, at a specific temperature more electrons will be excited for semiconductors, giving rise to higher conductivities.
Work Step by Step
For metallic materials, there are vacant electron energy states adjacent to the highest filled state; thus, very little energy is required to excite large numbers of electrons into conducting states. These electrons are those that participate in the conduction process, and, because there are so many of them, metals are good electrical conductors.
There are no empty electron states adjacent to and above filled states for semiconductors and insulators, but rather, an energy band gap across which electrons must be excited in order to participate in the conduction process. Thermal excitation of electrons will occur, and the number of electrons excited will be less than for metals, and will depend on the band gap energy. For semiconductors, the band gap is narrower than for insulators; consequently, at a specific temperature more electrons will be excited for semiconductors, giving rise to higher conductivities.
