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PN Junction Behavior and Characteristics
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PN Junction Behavior and Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

What happens to the depletion region as the voltage in forward bias increases?

  • It disappears completely, causing a rapid decrease in current.
  • It becomes larger, blocking current flow.
  • It remains constant, not affecting current.
  • It becomes smaller, allowing current to flow. (correct)
  • What is the approximate cut-in voltage for a silicon diode?

  • 0.7 volts (correct)
  • 0.3 volts
  • 1.5 volts
  • 1.2 volts
  • Which statement best describes the current in reverse bias?

  • It is very large and grows rapidly.
  • It is significantly higher than in forward bias.
  • It fluctuates unpredictably.
  • It remains near zero and almost constant. (correct)
  • How does the resistance of a pn junction change in forward bias?

    <p>It decreases, showing low resistance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a circuit symbol for a pn junction represent?

    <p>The direction of conduction from p to n.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the behavior of a pn junction in relation to Ohm's law?

    <p>'Non-linear' - does not follow Ohm's law.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    • The behavior of a pn junction can be summarized in a graph of voltage versus current.
    • In forward bias, when the positive terminal is connected to the p-type and the negative terminal is connected to the n-type, current flows from p to n.
    • Initially, with a small voltage, the current is not significant due to the depletion region. As the voltage increases, the depletion region becomes smaller and the current grows. After a certain point, called the cut-in voltage, the depletion region vanishes and the current increases rapidly.
    • The cut-in voltage for a silicon diode is approximately 0.7 volts.
    • In reverse bias, when the positive terminal is connected to the n-type and the negative terminal is connected to the p-type, a very tiny current flows in the opposite direction from n to p. The current remains near zero and almost constant.
    • The graph of reverse bias shows a constant near-zero current.
    • The graph of forward bias shows a low current until the cut-in voltage, after which the current increases dramatically.
    • A pn junction is a non-ohmic device, meaning Ohm's law does not apply to it.
    • In forward bias, the pn junction has low resistance, while in reverse bias, it has high resistance to current.
    • The circuit symbol for a pn junction represents the direction of conduction, with an arrow indicating conduction from p to n.
    • A pn junction is also known as a pn diode, semiconductor diode, or junction diode.
    • The word "diode" refers to a device with two terminals (p and n) that allows a path for charges to flow in one direction.

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    Description

    Explore the behavior and characteristics of a pn junction through a voltage versus current graph. Learn about forward bias, reverse bias, cut-in voltage, resistance, and more.

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