Question

Arrange the following in terms of their increasing electrical resistance value
• Semiconductors
• Superconductors
• Metals
• Insulators Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A $<$ B $<$ C $<$ D
• B. B $<$ C $<$ A $<$ D
• C. C $<$ B $<$ D $<$ A
• D. C $<$ A $<$ B $<$ D

Hint:

Resistance increases in the order: \[ \text{Superconductor} < \text{Metal} < \text{Semiconductor} < \text{Insulator} \]

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: Electrical resistance measures opposition offered by a material to the flow of electric current. Different materials possess different resistance values depending upon the availability of free electrons.

Step 1: Understand superconductors. Superconductors exhibit: \[ \boxed{ \text{Zero electrical resistance} } \] below a certain critical temperature. Hence they possess: \[ \boxed{ \text{Minimum resistance} } \]

Step 2: Understand metals. Metals contain:
• Large number of free electrons Therefore they conduct electricity very easily. Their resistance is low but not zero. Thus: \[ \boxed{ \text{Resistance of metals is greater than superconductors} } \]

Step 3: Understand semiconductors. Semiconductors have fewer free charge carriers compared to metals. Hence:
• Their resistance is greater than metals.
• Their conductivity lies between metals and insulators.

Step 4: Understand insulators. Insulators have:
• Almost no free electrons Hence they strongly oppose electric current. Therefore: \[ \boxed{ \text{Insulators possess maximum resistance} } \]

Step 5: Arrange in increasing order of resistance. Thus: \[ \text{Superconductors} < \text{Metals} < \text{Semiconductors} < \text{Insulators} \] Using symbols: \[ B < C < A < D \]

Step 6: Choose the correct answer. Therefore the correct option is: \[ \boxed{ B < C < A < D } \] Hence the correct option is: \[ \boxed{(2)} \] Final Conclusion: Increasing resistance order: \[ \boxed{ \text{Superconductors} < \text{Metals} < \text{Semiconductors} < \text{Insulators} } \] Hence, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{(2)} \]