Sn, C, and Si, Ge are all group XIV elements. Yet, Sn is a conductor, C is an insulator while Si and Ge are semiconductors. Why?
Sn is a conductor as it has an energy gap of 0 EV while C has an energy gap of 5.4 eV therefore, it is an insulator. Si and Ge have an energy gap of 1.1 eV and 0.7 eV, which makes them a semiconductor. The gaps in energy are related to their individual atomic size, which is responsible for making one insulator, conductor and semiconductor.