Case study·Standard multi-step (3/5)·No calculator
Difficulty guide
The label describes the problem, not your ability.
1/5 - Foundational
Warm-up setup; checks one basic idea.
2/5 - Routine exam skill
Normal syllabus skill; usually one main rule or interpretation.
3/5 - Standard multi-step
Exam-style problem with multiple steps or a common trap.
4/5 - Hard exam skill
High-end exam problem; combines methods carefully.
5/5 - Challenge
Stretch problem beyond normal exam pressure.
Question
A school sensor team compares three materials. Material A has overlapping bands, material B has a small forbidden gap, and material C has a large forbidden gap. The team needs a material whose conductivity changes appreciably with temperature but which is not metallic.
Total: 5 marks
(a) Which material should be chosen? (1 mark)
(b) Why is material A unsuitable for this requirement? (1 mark)
(c) Why is material C unsuitable for this requirement? (1 mark)
(d) Explain why the chosen material responds to temperature. (2 marks)
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