What is one primary use of semiconductors?

Semiconductors play a crucial role in electronics primarily because they are capable of controlling electrical current flow. This characteristic is fundamental to their function in various devices. Semiconductors have properties that allow them to act as a switch or a gate, enabling them to turn current on or off or regulate the amount of current that can pass through. This ability is what makes them essential in applications such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.

In contrast, storing electric energy is the primary function of components like capacitors and batteries, rather than semiconductors. Generating electrical power typically involves equipment like generators or photovoltaic cells, not semiconductors themselves. Additionally, while semiconductors have some insulating properties at certain temperatures and conditions, their primary role is not as insulators; that function is more suited to materials specifically designed for insulation. Thus, the ability of semiconductors to control current flow is a defining and essential feature that is widely exploited in modern electronic devices.