ABSTRACT
In Chapter 2 it was stated that an atom contains both negative charge carriers (electrons) and positive charge carriers (protons). Electrons each carry a single unit of negative electric charge while protons each exhibit a single unit of positive charge. Since atoms normally contain an equal number of electrons and protons, the net charge present will be zero. For example, if an atom has 11 electrons, it will also contain 11 protons. The end result is that the negative charge of the electrons will be exactly balanced by the positive charge of the protons. Electrons are in constantmotion as they orbit around the nucleus of the atom. Electron orbits are organized into shells. The maximum number of electrons present in the first shell is two, in the second shell eight, and in the third, fourth and fifth shells it is 18, 32 and 50, respectively. In electronics, only the electron shell furthermost from the nucleus of an atom is important. It is important to note that the movement of electrons between atoms only involves those present in the outer valence shell. If the valence shell contains the maximum number of electrons possible the electrons are rigidly bonded together and the material has the properties of an insulator (see Fig. 11.2). If, however, the valence shell does not have its full complement of electrons, the electrons can be easily detached from their orbital bonds, and the material has the properties associated with an electrical conductor. In its pure state, silicon is an insulator because the covalent bonding rigidly holds all of the electrons, leaving no free (easily loosened) electrons to conduct current. If, however, an atom of a different element (i.e. an impurity) is introduced that has five electrons in its valence shell, a surplus electron will be present (see Fig. 11.3). These free electrons become available for use as charge carriers and they can be made to move through the lattice by applying an external potential difference to the material.
