Prctice homework for Phys402

Name:
Section:

Question 1: Mark true (√) or false (X) :

1- The quantum free electron theory successes to explain the difference between
conductors, semiconductors and insulators.
2- Bloch’s theorem states that the wave function for an electron in crystal is a plane wave
that is modulated by a function with periodicity of the crystal or 𝜓 (𝑥 + 𝑛𝑎) =
𝜓(𝑥)𝑒 𝑖𝑘𝑛𝑎 .
3- According to Kronig- Penny model, the width of forbidden energy bands increases with
increasing energy.
4- According to Kronig- Penny model, the energy bands are discontinuous if the scattering
power of potential barrier is zero.
5- The total number of possible states in energy band becomes equal to the number of
primitive unit cells N.
6- The effective mass of an electron in a material takes into account the internal influences
of the lattice so that the electron can be treated as a free particle.
7- A hole is an electric charge carrier with a positive charge, equal in magnitude but
opposite in polarity to the charge on the electron.
Question 2: Multiple choice questions
1) In a one dimensional potential box of length L, the maximum wavelength that an electron can
have is………
a) L/4 (b) L (c) L/2 (b) 2 L
2) According to the band theory, a freely moving electron inside a metal experiences…….potentials
of positive ions.
a) constant
b) varying
c) periodic
d) b and c
3) In Kronig-Penney model, the potential V(x) is a periodic……..
a) sinusoidal wave
b) square wave
c) triangular wave
d) sawtooth wave

1
4) The group velocity of the associated wave Vg, of electron is given by…..
dE dE dE 1 dE
a) ℏ b) ℏ / c) 1/ ℏ d)
𝑑𝑘 𝑑𝑘 𝑑𝑘 ℏ 𝑑𝑘

5) The range of Brillouin zone corresponds to the ranges of ……..

a) forbidden energy bands in solids
b) allowed energy bands in solids
c) discontinuous regions in E vs k curve in solid
d) none of the above
6) An energy band in which electrons can move freely is called…….
a) valence band
b) conduction band
c) energy gap
d) insulation gap
7) Which one has the greatest energy gap?
a) Metals
b) Semiconductors
c) Insulators
d) nonmetals
8) The effective mass of a charge carrier …….
a) is directly proportional to the curvature of E-K curve.
b) is inversely proportional to the curvature of E-K curve
c) doesn’t depend on the curvature of the band
d) none of the above
9) Near the Brillouin zone boundaries the effective mass tend to have………
a) a constant positive value
b) a constant negative value
c) infinity
d) Zero
10) If the valence band is partially filled then the substance is…….
a) Conductor
b) Semiconductor
c) insulator
d) none of the above
11) Electrons from the valence band rise to the conduction band when the temperature is greater
than 0 k.
a) True b) False
12) The conductivity of semiconductor increases with increase in temperature because……..
a) Both of charge carriers density and mobility increase
b) Number of charge carriers density increases
c) Mobility increases
d) number of charge carriers density increases, mobility decreases but effect of decrease in mobility
is much less than increase in number density