Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The conduction band is the energy band in a solid material where electrons are free to move and conduct electricity. Electrons in this band have enough energy to overcome the attractive forces of their atomic nuclei.
Related terms
Valence band: The valence band is another energy band in a solid material that lies below the conduction band. It contains electrons that are tightly bound to their respective atoms.
Band gap: The band gap is the energy difference between the valence and conduction bands. It determines whether a material behaves as an insulator, semiconductor, or conductor.
Fermi level: The Fermi level represents the highest occupied energy state at absolute zero temperature in a solid material. It plays a crucial role in determining electronic behavior and conductivity properties of materials.