NEETPhysicsSemiconductors
An AC source with a peak voltage of 10 V is connected in series with a load resistor and a practical silicon diode. The barrier potential of the silicon diode is 0.7 V . What will be the peak voltage drop across the diode during its forward-biased and reverse-biased half-cycles, respectively?
Options
- A0.7 V and 10 V
- B0 V and 10 V
- C0.7 V and 9.3 V
- D10 V and 0.7 V
Correct answer
A. 0.7 V and 10 V
Step-by-step solution
During the forward-biased half-cycle, a practical silicon diode conducts when the applied voltage exceeds its barrier potential. While conducting, the voltage drop across the diode remains approximately equal to its barrier potential, which is 0.7 V . During the reverse-biased half-cycle, the diode does not conduct and acts as an open circuit. Since no current flows through the load resistor, there is zero voltage drop across the resistor. According to Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, the entire source voltage appears acro