How are n type semiconductors and p type semiconductors alike. How are they different

N-type semiconductor materials have been with elements which have spare electrons in their outer shells. This gives N-type silicon free electrons (which are negatively charged partials) which can move about at will - with the potential to create current.

P-type semiconductor materials have been in the opposite way, with elements that have too few electrons in their outer shells. Therefore the opposite of electrons - holes - are free to move about within the material - with the potential to create current.

You can think of it like positive and negative poles of a magnet.

When you place a piece of N-type silicon next to a piece of P-type silicon, they form a diode. The excess electrons in the N-type are attracted to the excess holes in the P-type, forming what is known as a P-N junction. If you then put a potential difference (voltage) across the junction such that the P-type is sufficiently higher potential than the N-type, electrons will be able to jump across the boarder from the N-type to the P-type, creating current in the opposite direction.

If you apply the potential difference in the opposite direction, such that the N-type is at a higher potential than the P-type, there is no flow of electrons from the P to the N-type because the N-type already has too many. There is no current flow.