Which element of group 13 is a soft metal with a low melting point (303K) and is widely used in doping semiconductors and producing solid-state devices such as transistors?

Correct option is D

• Gallium (Ga) is a soft metal with a relatively low melting point of around 303K (30°C).

• It is widely used in the production of semiconductors and is essential in the manufacturing of solid-state devices, such as transistors.

• Gallium is used for doping semiconductors, improving their conductivity, and is a key material in modern electronics and optical devices (e.g., LEDs, solar panels).

Information Booster:

• Gallium is unique because it can remain in a liquid state just above room temperature, which makes it useful in high-temperature thermometers and other specialized equipment.

• It is also a component in gallium arsenide (GaAs), a material commonly used in high-speed electronics and optical devices.

• Gallium is also used in solar cells and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) due to its excellent electrical conductivity.

Additional Information:

• Aluminium (Option A) is a lightweight metal used extensively in the aerospace and automotive industries but does not have the same properties related to semiconductor applications as gallium.

• Boron (Option B) is used in borosilicate glass and nuclear reactors but is not commonly used in semiconductor doping.

• Thallium (Option C) is a toxic metal with no significant role in semiconductor technology like gallium.