Capacitors and RC Circuits
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Questions and Answers

What is created in a semiconductor when an electron is captured by another atom?

  • A free electron
  • A depletion region
  • A positive ion (correct)
  • A negative ion
  • What happens to the number of current carriers in a semiconductor when it is doped with a donor?

  • They decrease significantly
  • They remain the same
  • They are eliminated completely
  • They increase significantly (correct)
  • In n-type semiconductors, which of the following is true?

  • There are more holes than electrons
  • Positive ions predominate
  • Electrons are the main current carriers (correct)
  • It has no doping
  • What role does the depletion layer serve in a diode?

    <p>Acts as an insulator (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a diode?

    <p>To allow current flow from anode to cathode only (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when a small voltage is applied to a diode?

    <p>Current can flow through the junction (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following materials can be considered a common donor in semiconductors?

    <p>Arsenic (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about p-type semiconductors is correct?

    <p>They are formed by absorbing free electrons (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the depletion layer in a diode when it is reverse biased?

    <p>It becomes wider. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what state does a diode act as a conductor?

    <p>When it is forward biased. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What special characteristic do light emitting diodes (LEDs) have?

    <p>They emit light when they conduct. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes Zener diodes from regular diodes?

    <p>They provide a reference voltage in reverse bias. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do transistors function when acting as switches?

    <p>They are in saturation (on) or cutoff (off). (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the composition of a transistor?

    <p>Three pieces of semiconductor material. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary use of diodes in electronic circuits?

    <p>To change alternating current to direct current. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the unit of capacitance equivalent to 1 amp of current at 1 volt for 1 second?

    <p>1 Farad (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are traditional light bulbs less favored compared to LEDs?

    <p>LEDs last significantly longer. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of capacitor is not polarized and can connect either way in a circuit?

    <p>Ceramic capacitors (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What formula represents the charge time to 63.2% of supply voltage for a capacitor?

    <p>R*C (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the value of electrolytic capacitors as they age?

    <p>Change and become inaccurate (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which application is NOT a common use for capacitors?

    <p>Storing large amounts of data (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In semiconductors, what is left behind when electrons move?

    <p>Fixed positive charge (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about tantalum capacitors is FALSE?

    <p>They are typically inexpensive. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon does lightning represent in terms of electrical charge?

    <p>A giant capacitive charge discharging (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the base in a transistor?

    <p>It allows for current to flow from the emitter to the collector. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of transistor has electrons as the main current carriers?

    <p>n-p-n transistor (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to a transistor when no voltage is applied to the base?

    <p>It is equivalent to two diodes connected back to back. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can a small voltage affect the operation of a transistor?

    <p>It switches the transistor on, enabling current flow. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of FETs compared to bipolar transistors?

    <p>FETs are more susceptible to static electricity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are bipolar transistors often preferred for teaching and training?

    <p>They are more durable against static electricity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the basic structure of a transistor?

    <p>Three layers of semiconductor material. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes between an n-p-n and a p-n-p transistor?

    <p>The arrangement of semiconductor layers. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Hole in a semiconductor

    An empty space created when an electron is captured by an atom in a semiconductor, allowing for the movement of positive charge.

    N-type semiconductor

    A semiconductor material with an excess of free electrons, created by adding a donor impurity.

    P-type semiconductor

    A semiconductor material with an excess of holes, created by adding a donor impurity that absorbs free electrons.

    Doping a semiconductor

    The process of adding impurities to a semiconductor to increase its conductivity.

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    Diode

    A semiconductor device that allows current to flow in one direction (anode to cathode) but not in the reverse direction.

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    Depletion layer

    The area within a diode where no free charge carriers exist, acting as an insulator.

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    Anode

    The electrode in a diode where current enters.

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    Cathode

    The electrode in a diode where current exits.

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    Capacitor

    A component that stores electrical charge and releases it when needed. It's like a tiny battery.

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    Dielectric

    A non-conductive material that prevents the flow of electricity between the plates of a capacitor.

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    RC Time Constant

    The time it takes for a capacitor to charge to 63.2% of the supply voltage or discharge to 36.8% of its initial voltage.

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    Capacitance

    The ability of a capacitor to store electrical charge. Measured in Farads (F).

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    Ceramic Capacitor

    A type of capacitor commonly used in electronic circuits. Small size, low capacitance (PicoFarads to MicroFarads).

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    Electrolytic Capacitor

    A type of capacitor with higher capacitance than ceramic, used in smoothing power supplies. Polarized, meaning it has a positive and negative terminal.

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    Tantalum Capacitor

    A type of capacitor with a high capacitance and stability, often used in filter circuits. Typically polarized, requiring a specific connection.

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    Semiconductors

    Materials that can conduct electricity under certain conditions but not as well as metals, allowing controlled current flow.

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    Zener Diode

    A diode that conducts current in reverse bias when a specific voltage is reached. Used for stabilizing or regulating voltage

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    LED (Light Emitting Diode)

    A special type of diode that emits light when conducting electricity.

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    PN Junction

    A junction between two semiconductors, usually with an 'n-type' and a 'p-type' material, where electrical current flow can be controlled by applying a voltage.

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    Reverse Bias

    The state of a PN junction when a voltage is applied in a way that increases the width of the depletion layer, preventing current flow.

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    Forward Bias

    The state of a PN Junction when a voltage is applied in a way that shrinks the depletion layer, allowing current flow.

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    Transistor

    A semiconductor device that acts as a switch, allowing current to flow when activated, or as an amplifier, increasing the strength of the signal.

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    NPN Transistor

    A transistor with a thin slice of n-type material sandwiched between two p-type layers. Electrons are the primary current carriers.

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    PNP Transistor

    A transistor with a thin slice of p-type material sandwiched between two n-type layers. Holes are the primary current carriers.

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    Base

    The middle layer in a transistor, sandwiched between the collector and emitter.

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    Collector

    The outer layer of a transistor that collects the majority of the current flowing through the transistor.

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    Emitter

    The outer layer of a transistor where current is injected.

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    Bipolar Transistor

    A type of transistor where the current flow is controlled by the voltage applied to the base.

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    FET (Field Effect Transistor)

    A type of transistor where the current flow is controlled by an electric field applied to the gate.

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    Study Notes

    Capacitors

    • Capacitors store charge when disconnected from power
    • Dielectric prevents charge jumping between plates
    • Lightning is a large capacitive discharge
    • 1 Farad = 1 Amp of current at 1 Volt for 1 second
    • Capacitors are typically measured in microfarads (µF) and picofarads (pF)
    • Common uses: camera flashes, lasers, noise decoupling, smoothing power supplies, timing

    RC Time

    • Capacitors take time to charge and discharge
    • Charge/discharge rate controlled by resistors
    • Time to charge (to 63.2% of voltage) and discharge (to 36.8%) is R*C (in seconds)
    • Useful for controlling circuit timing

    Capacitor Types

    • Three main types: ceramic, electrolytic, tantalum
    • Ceramic: small size, low value (a few picofarads to 1µF), non-polarized
    • Electrolytic: cylinder shape, higher value (1 µF to several Farads), polarized
    • Tantalum: similar size to ceramic, higher charge storage capacity, usually polarized

    Semiconductors

    • Critical discovery in electronics
    • Essential for devices like TVs, computers, rockets, CD players
    • Conductors have loosely held electrons that easily move with voltage
    • Insulators have fixed electrons
    • Semiconductors are insulators with some loose electrons, enabling partial conduction
    • Electrons and "holes" are the two types of current carriers

    Diodes

    • Junction of n-type and p-type semiconductors
    • Electrons and holes are repelled by the positive & negative ions, respectively
    • Depletion layer = area without current carriers (insulating)
    • Diode conducts in one direction (forward bias) and blocks current in reverse bias
    • Used in reverse polarity protection, snubbing inductive loads, and AC-to-DC conversion

    Transistor Basics

    • Three-layer semiconductor device (n-p-n or p-n-p)
    • Can act as a switch or amplifier
    • Bipolar and Field-Effect transistors (FETs) are the two main types
    • NPN: base voltage higher than emitter, current flows collector to emitter
    • PNP: base voltage lower than emitter, current flows emitter to collector
    • Transistors are used as switches and amplifiers in various electronic circuits

    LED (Light Emitting Diodes)

    • Special diodes emitting light when conducting
    • Light color depends on the semiconductor impurity
    • Common in various applications due to small size, low cost, and long lifespan

    The Transistor

    • Found in most modern electronic devices
    • Operate as switches(ON/OFF) or amplifiers (increase current)
    • Used in calculators, microwaves, computers etc

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    Description

    Explore the fundamental concepts of capacitors and their role in electronic circuits. This quiz covers capacitor types, charging and discharging behavior, and the significance of resistance in RC circuits. Test your knowledge on essential applications and calculations related to capacitors.

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