25 Questions
What is a characteristic property of a semiconductor?
The resistivity is between that of a good conductor and a good insulator.
How does the resistance of a semiconductor change with an increase in temperature?
The resistance decreases with an increase in temperature.
What is the effect of thermal agitation on electrons in a semiconductor?
Electrons gain energy and break bonds, allowing for current to flow.
What is a positive hole in a semiconductor?
A space or gap left behind when an electron breaks free.
What is the direction of flow of electrons and positive holes in a semiconductor?
Electrons flow in one direction, and positive holes flow in the other direction.
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic conduction in semiconductors?
Intrinsic conduction is the movement of charges through a pure semiconductor with equal numbers of electrons and holes, while extrinsic conduction is the movement of charge through a doped semiconductor.
What is the purpose of doping a semiconductor?
The purpose of doping a semiconductor is to increase its conductivity by adding small amounts of another element to a pure semiconductor.
What is the difference between N-type and P-type semiconductors?
N-type semiconductors add more free electrons available for conduction, while P-type semiconductors add more free positive holes available for conduction.
What is a thermistor and how does it respond to changes in temperature?
A thermistor is an electrical component whose resistance decreases rapidly with increasing temperature.
What is the effect of doping on the number of free electrons and holes in a semiconductor?
Doping can increase the number of free electrons or holes in a semiconductor, depending on the type of doping material used.
What is the primary function of a diode in an electric circuit?
To allow current to flow in one direction only
How does the resistance of a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) change when light shines on it?
It decreases rapidly
What is the depletion layer in a p-n junction, and how does it behave?
The region at both sides of a p-n junction that contains no free majority charge carriers, behaving as an insulator.
What is the junction voltage in a p-n junction, and what causes it?
The potential difference that exists across a p-n junction, caused by holes and electrons moving across the junction when it is formed.
What is the main difference between the p-type and n-type regions of a p-n junction?
The p-type region is doped with an excess of holes, while the n-type region is doped with an excess of electrons.
What is the purpose of a diode in a rectifier, and how does it achieve this purpose?
A diode in a rectifier is used to convert a.c. to d.c. It achieves this by allowing current to flow in one direction, when connected in forward bias, and blocking it in the other direction, when connected in reverse bias.
Describe the difference in the behavior of a diode when connected in forward bias and reverse bias.
When connected in forward bias, a diode allows current to flow once the junction voltage is exceeded, whereas when connected in reverse bias, it acts as an insulator and does not allow current to flow.
What is the principle behind the working of a Light Emitting Diode (LED)?
An LED emits light when it is connected in forward bias, due to the energy released at the p-n junction.
What is the main function of a rectifier in a power supply, and how does it achieve this?
The main function of a rectifier is to convert a.c. to d.c., which it achieves by using diodes to block or allow current flow in one direction.
How does the biasing of a diode affect its ability to conduct electricity?
When a diode is connected in forward bias, it can conduct electricity, whereas when connected in reverse bias, it acts as an insulator and cannot conduct electricity.
What substance is commonly used to create a p-type semiconductor?
Boron
What substance is often used to create an n-type semiconductor?
Silicon
What is the significance of the junction voltage in a p-n junction diode?
The junction voltage is the voltage required to allow current to flow through a diode connected in forward bias.
How does the flow of current through a diode change when its biasing changes from forward to reverse?
When the biasing changes from forward to reverse, the current flow through a diode changes from allowing current to flow to not allowing current to flow.
What is the role of a diode in a rectifier, and how does it achieve this role?
A diode in a rectifier converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) by allowing current to flow in one direction, and it achieves this by being connected in forward bias during the positive half-cycle and in reverse bias during the negative half-cycle.
Test your understanding of semiconductors, including their definition, resistance, and behavior at different temperatures. Learn how thermal agitation affects electron flow and conductivity.
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