Carbon, silicon, and germanium have four valence electrons each. These are characterised by valence

Question

Carbon, silicon, and germanium have four valence electrons each. These are characterised by valence and conduction bands separated by energy band gaps respectively equal to $(E_g)_C$, $(E_g)_{Si}$, and $(E_g)_{Ge}$. Which of the following statements is true?

Professor PC Thomas Classes · Answer

The energy band gaps are approximately 5.4 eV for Carbon (diamond), 1.1 eV for Silicon, and 0.7 eV for Germanium. Hence $(E_g)_C>(E_g)_{Si}>(E_g)_{Ge}$.