How do majority carriers differ from minority carriers in a p-n junction?

In a p-n junction, the distinction between majority and minority carriers is based on their relative abundance within the p-type and n-type semiconductor materials.12

• Majority Carriers: These are the dominant, most abundant charge carriers in a given region. In p-type material, holes are the majority carriers, while in n-type material, electrons are the majority carriers. When a forward bias is applied to the junction, these carriers move across it, allowing a large electric current to flow.123
• Minority Carriers: These are the less abundant, thermally generated charge carriers. In p-type material, electrons are the minority carriers, and in n-type material, holes are the minority carriers.12

The interaction between these carriers is fundamental to the operation of semiconductor devices, including transistors, where processes such as minority carrier injection play a critical role in device functionality.12