Which of the following statements is correct for n-type semiconductor…

The correct answer is Option (3) → Holes are minority carriers and pentavalent atoms are the dopants.

An n-type semiconductor is made by doping silicon or germanium with a pentavalent impurity (P, As, Sb). Four of the five valence electrons of each dopant atom form bonds and the fifth becomes free, so electrons are the majority carriers and holes are the minority carriers.

Option (1) Electrons are majority carriers and trivalent atoms are the dopants. — Incorrect. Electrons are the majority carriers, but the dopants are pentavalent, not trivalent.

Option (2) Electrons are minority carriers and pentavalent atoms are the dopants. — Incorrect. The dopants are pentavalent, but electrons are the majority carriers, not the minority.

Option (3) Holes are minority carriers and pentavalent atoms are the dopants. — Correct. Holes are the minority carriers and the dopants are pentavalent.

Option (4) Holes are majority carriers and trivalent atoms are the dopants. — Incorrect. This describes a p-type semiconductor.

NCERT (2026-27):
Extrinsic Semiconductor – “… Suppose we dope Si or Ge with a pentavalent element as shown in Fig. 14.7. … Hence in an extrinsic semiconductor doped with pentavalent impurity, electrons become the majority carriers and holes the minority carriers. These semiconductors are, therefore, known as n-type semiconductors.”