1The flow of electrons is generally termed as electric current.

2Based upon ability to conduct current, all substances can be broadly classified as
follows:
Classification of materials on the basis of electrical conductivity:
11. Good conductors materials which offers very little resistance to the flow of current.
E.g.:- Copper, Aluminum, Silver, etc.
12. Insulator resistance offered to the flow of current is very large.
E.g.:- Wood, Glass, Paper, Mica, Plastic, Etc.
13. Semiconductors exhibit the properties of both conductors & insulators. At low
temperature, they behave like perfect insulators, but at higher temperature, they behave
like conductors.
E.g.:- Silicon & Germanium.
Properties of Semiconductors:11. The conductivity of a semiconductor lies between the conductivities of conductors &
insulators.
22. The conductivity of a semiconductor increases with temperature. Hence, a semiconductor
has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance.
33. The conductivity of a semiconductor increases, when suitable metallic impurity is added
to it.
NOTE: - If the temperature of a good conductor is increased, its resistance increases. This is
known as positive temperature coefficient. But, the resistance of a semiconductor decreases with
increase of temperature.