The flow of current in a (semi-)conductor is often described as holes and/or electrons moving between atoms. In this context:
- Is an atom with a hole the same thing as a positive ion (cation), and
- Is an atom with an electron the same thing as a negative ion (anion)?
I already understand what cations and anions are. And I am not asking about current flow. I just want to know if the two questions in the above list are true or false.
However you answer, kindly explain your reasoning (why is it yes, or why is it no)?
I have already searched related questions here, but none of them seem to answer this.
EDIT: I screwed up when I asked this! I just added the text in italics "an atom with" above, which is what I had in mind from the start. Sorry.
Best Answer
Neither are true.
A hole has a one unit positive charge. Its position is essentially that of the atom which is short of one electron. When it moves, the atoms do not move, but electrons move to move the vacancy around. The effective mass of the hole is a complicated function of the material.
A positive ion is an atom that has lost one electron. It also has one unit positive charge, and a mass more or less that of the uncharged atom. When it moves, it moves.
An electron is an electron, with a one unit negative charge.
A negative ion is an atom that has gained one electron, so has a one unit negative charge.