COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

Detailed explanation-1: -Most transistors are made from very pure silicon, and some from germanium, but certain other semiconductor materials are sometimes used. A transistor may have only one kind of charge carrier, in a field-effect transistor, or may have two kinds of charge carriers in bipolar junction transistor devices.

Detailed explanation-2: -The pure form of silicon has an atomic structure that makes it highly effective as a semiconductor. This means it has the conductive properties of metal as well as being an insulator, so silicon can conduct and block electricity. This ability makes silicon ideal as a switching mechanism.

Detailed explanation-3: -The material most frequently used in semiconductors is Silicon (chemical symbol = Si). Silicon is the second most abundant element on earth after Oxygen.

Detailed explanation-4: -Silicon is one of the most useful elements to mankind. Most is used to make alloys including aluminium-silicon and ferro-silicon (iron-silicon). These are used to make dynamo and transformer plates, engine blocks, cylinder heads and machine tools and to deoxidise steel.