Semiconductors Lesson Plan for 12th Grade Example Students

Topic: Semiconductors

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to explain the energy bands in a semiconductor, the behavior of free electrons in the band, the effects of an electric field on the electrons, and the behavior of electrons in a p-n junction.

Materials

• Diagram of a semiconductor showing the energy bands
• Semiconductor wafer
• Microscopes
• Electrical meter
• Beakers
• Water
• Ice
• Sodium chloride (NaCl)
• Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
• Sugar
• Salt
• Vinegar
• Water
• White bread
• Butter
• Jam
• Peanut butter
• Orange juice
• Coffee
• Tea

Warm up

• Show the students the diagram of a semiconductor showing the energy bands and ask them to describe what they see.
• Ask the students if they have heard of the term "free electrons." If yes, ask them to describe what free electrons are. If no, explain that free electrons are the electrons that are not attached to the atoms in a semiconductor, and that they can move around freely within the band.

Direct Instruction

• Explain that semiconductors are materials that have a limited number of electrons that can freely move around in their energy bands.
• Introduce the concept of the energy band, and explain that the energy band is a range of energy levels that electrons can be in within the semiconductor.
• Show the students the diagram of a semiconductor showing the energy bands and ask them to describe what they see.
• Explain that the energy gap is the difference in energy between the highest energy level in the lowest energy band and the lowest energy level in the highest energy band.
• Explain that the size of the energy gap determines the behavior of the semiconductor. For example, if the energy gap is small, the semiconductor will be a good conductor (i.e. electricity can flow easily through it). If the energy gap is large, the semiconductor will be a good insulator (i.e. electricity will not be able to flow easily through it).

Guided Practice

• Have students work in pairs and look at a diagram of a typical semiconductor with energy bands labeled.
• Ask students to describe the behavior of the semiconductor based on the size of the energy gap.
• Have students come to the front of the classroom and present their analysis to the class.

Independent Practice

• Have students work in groups to design a semiconductor-based light-sensor.
• Each group should identify the material(s) they would use for the semiconductor, and design a circuit to convert the light signal into a voltage for the microcontroller.
• Groups should present their designs to the class.

Closure

• Review the main characteristics of semiconductors and the operations performed on them in CMOS
• Ask students to share any new insights they gained about semiconductors

Assessment

• Review students' presentations and participation in class discussions to evaluate their understanding of the material)Closure
• Ask students to reflect on what they learned about understanding and applying the concepts of semiconductors in this class
• Encourage students to ask any remaining questions they may have about semiconductors and their applications]}}Introduction
• Semiconductors are materials that have properties in between those of conductors and insulators
• These properties make them very useful in electronics, as they can be used to create circuits that can switch and amplify signals, among other things
• In this lesson we will explore the many uses of semiconductors, their classification and the physics behind their operation
• We will look at the most common semiconductor material, silicon, and its uses in CMOS and other integrated circuits
• We will also look at how nanoscience and nanotechnology are being used to create even smaller and more powerful semiconductor devices
• By the end of this lesson, students will have a clear understanding of semiconductors and how their properties are being used in modern electronics