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Electronic Properties of Solids
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What is the fundamental difference between a metal and an insulator?
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A
Metals have a lower energy gap between the valence and conduction bands.
💡 Explanation:
In a metal, the valence band and conduction band overlap, or the energy gap between them is very small. This allows electrons to move freely between the two bands, resulting in high electrical conductivity. In an insulator, the energy gap is large, preventing electrons from moving between the bands, resulting in low electrical conductivity.