SEMICONDUCTORS – GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. A silicon diode measures a low value of resistance with the

meter leads in both positions. The trouble, if any, is
A. the diode is open.
B. the diode is shorted to ground.
C. the diode is internally shorted.
D. the diode is working correctly.

Answer: Option C

2. Single-element semiconductors are characterized by atoms

with ____ valence electrons.
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 2
E. none of the above

Answer: Option B

3. Under normal conditions a diode conducts current when it

is
A. reverse-biased.
B. forward-biased.
C. avalanched.
D. saturated.

Answer: Option B

4. A diode conducts when it is forward-biased, and the anode

is connected to the ________ through a limiting resistor.
A. positive supply
B. negative supply
C. cathode
D. anode

Answer: Option A

5. As the forward current through a silicon diode increases, the

internal resistance

A. increases.
B. decreases.
C. remains the same.

Answer: Option B

6. The movement of free electrons in a conductor is called

A. voltage.
B. current.
C. recombination.
D. equilibrium.

Answer: Option B

7. For a forward-biased diode, the barrier potential ________

as temperature increases.
A. decreases
B. remains constant
C. increases
Answer: Option A

8. The wide end arrow on a schematic indicates the ________

of a diode.
A. ground
B. direction of electron flow
C. cathode
D. anode

Answer: Option D

9. An n-type semiconductor material

A. is intrinsic.
B. has trivalent impurity atoms added.
C. has pentavalent impurity atoms added.
D. requires no doping.

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

N-type Semiconductor :

An intrinsic semiconductor material is a poor conductor. When

a small amount of pentavalent impurity is added to the intrinsic
material its conductivity rises sharply. This material formed
after the addition of pentavalent impurity to the intrinsic
semiconductor material is called N-type material. Addition of
small amount of pentavalent atoms in the intrinsic material
provides large number of free electrons for conduction.

10. For a forward-biased diode, as temperature is ________,

the forward current ________ for a given value of forward
voltage.
A. decreased, increases
B. increased, increases
C. increased, decreases
D. decreased, decreases

Answer: Option B

11. Which statement best describes an insulator?

A. A material with many free electrons.
B. A material doped to have some free electrons.
C. A material with few free electrons.
D. No description fits.

Answer: Option C

12. Effectively, how many valence electrons are there in each

atom within a silicon crystal?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 8
D. 16

Answer: Option C
13. The boundary between p-type material and n-type material
is called
A. a diode.
B. a reverse-biased diode.
C. a pn junction.
D. a forward-biased diode.

Answer: Option C

14. You have an unknown type of diode in a circuit. You

measure the voltage across it and find it to be 0.3 V. The diode
might be
A. a silicon diode.
B. a germanium diode.
C. a forward-biased silicon diode.
D. a reverse-biased germanium diode.

Answer: Option B

15. An ideal diode presents a(n) ________ when reversed-

biased and a(n) ________ when forward-biased.
A. open, short
B. short, open
C. open, open
D. short, short

Answer: Option A

16. A reverse-biased diode has the ________ connected to

the positive side of the source, and the ________ connected
to the negative side of the source.
A. cathode, anode
B. cathode, base
C. base, anode
D. anode, cathode

Answer: Option A

17. What types of impurity atoms are added to increase the

number of conduction-band electrons in intrinsic silicon?
A. bivalent
B. octavalent
C. pentavalent
D. trivalent
E. none of the above

Answer: Option C

18. What factor(s) do(es) the barrier potential of a pn junction

depend on?
A. type of semiconductive material
B. the amount of doping
C. the temperature
D. all of the above
E. type of semiconductive material and the amount of
doping but not the temperature

Answer: Option D
19. An atom is made up of
A. protons.
B. neutrons.
C. electrons.
D. all of the above

Answer: Option D

20. Reverse breakdown is a condition in which a diode

A. is subjected to a large reverse voltage.
B. is reverse-biased and there is a small leakage
current.
C. has no current flowing at all.
D. is heated up by large amounts of current in the
forward direction.

Answer: Option A

21.
There is a small amount of current across the barrier of a
reverse-biased diode. This current is called
A. forward-bias current.
B. reverse breakdown current.
C. conventional current.
D. reverse leakage current.

Answer: Option D

22. As the forward current through a silicon diode increases,

the voltage across the diode
A. increases to a 0.7 V maximum.
B. decreases.
C. is relatively constant.
D. decreases and then increases.

Answer: Option C

23. Doping of a semiconductor material means

A. that a glue-type substance is added to hold the
material together.
B. that impurities are added to increase the resistance
of the material.
C. that impurities are added to decrease the resistance
of the material.
D. that all impurities are removed to get pure silicon.
Answer: Option C
24. The forward voltage across a conducting silicon diode is
about
A. 0.3 V.
B. 1.7 V.
C. –0.7 V.
D. 0.7 V.

Answer: Option D

25. The most common type of diode failure is a(n) ________.

A. open
B. short
C. resistive

Answer: Option A
26. What occurs when a conduction-band electron loses
energy and falls back into a hole in the valence band?
A. doping
B. recombination
C. generation

Answer: Option B

27. The maximum number of electrons in each shell of an

atom is
A. 2.
B. 2n2 where n is the number of the shell.
C. 4.
D. 8.

Answer: Option B

28. A silicon diode is forward-biased. You measure the voltage

to ground from the anode at ________, and the voltage from
the cathode to ground at ________.
A. 0 V, 0.3 V
B. 2.3 V, 1.6 V
C. 1.6 V, 2.3 V
D. 0.3 V, 0 V

Answer: Option B

Explanation:

For silicon diodes, the built-in potential is approximately 0.7 V.

Thus, if an external current is passed through the diode, about
0.7 V will be developed across the diode such that the P-
doped region is positive with respect to the N-doped region
and the diode is said to be "turned on" as it has a forward bias.

Therefore, 2.3 V - 1.6 V = 0.7 V. Hence the answer is correct.

29. The term bias in electronics usually means

A. the value of ac voltage in the signal.
B. the condition of current through a pn junction.
C. the value of dc voltages for the device to operate
properly.
D. the status of the diode.

Answer: Option C

Semiconductors - True or False

1. A reverse-biased silicon diode has about 0.7 V across it.
A. True
B. False
Answer: Option B

2. An atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains

the characteristics of that element.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A
3. An intrinsic semiconductor is neither a good conductor nor
a good insulator.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A

4. The ideal model of a diode is a switch.

A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A

5. A pn structure is called a diode.

A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A

6. Forward bias is the condition that allows current through a

pn junction.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A

7. An intrinsic crystal is one that contains a small amount of

impurities.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option B

8. N-type semiconductor material has very few free electrons.

A. True
B. False

Answer: Option B

9. The silicon material used in semiconductors is extremely

pure with no additives.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option B

10. The movement of free electrons in a semiconductor

material is termed electron voltage.
A. True
B. False
Answer: Option B
Special-Purpose Diodes - General Questions

1. Schottky diodes are also known as

A. PIN diodes.

B. hot carrier diodes.

C. step-recovery diodes.

D. tunnel diodes.

Answer: Option B

2. Zener diodes with breakdown voltages less than 5 V

operate predominantly in what type of breakdown?
A. avalanche

B. zener

C. varactor

D. Schottky

Answer: Option B

3. The Schottky diode is used

A. in high-power circuits.

B. in circuits requiring negative resistance.

C. in very fast-switching circuits.

D. in power supply rectifiers.

Answer: Option C

4. You have an application for a diode to be used in a tuning

circuit. A type of diode to use might be
A. an LED.

B. a Schottky diode.

C. a Gunn diode.

D. a varactor.

Answer: Option D
5. Refer to this figure. Which symbol is correct for an LED?

A. a

B. b

C. c

D. d

E. e

Answer: Option A

6. Refer to this figure. If VIN increases, IZ will

A. increase.

B. decrease.

C. remain the same.

Answer: Option A

7. What kind of diode is formed by joining a doped

semiconductor region with a metal?
A. laser

B. tunnel

C. pin

D. Schottky

Answer: Option D

8. Refer to this figure. Which symbol is correct for a zener

diode?
 A. a

B. b

C. c

D. d

E. e

Answer: Option B

9. Which diode employs graded doping?

A. zener

B. LED

C. tunnel

D. step-recovery

Answer: Option D

10. Refer to this figure. Identify the Schottky diode.

A. a

B. b

C. c

D. d

E. e

Answer: Option E

11. LEDs are made out of

 A. silicon.

B. germanium.

C. gallium.

D. silicon and germanium, but not gallium.

Answer: Option C

12. The normal operating region for a zener diode is the

A. forward-bias region.

B. reverse-bias region.

C. zero-crossing region.

D. reverse-breakdown region.

Answer: Option D

13. Refer to this figure. If VIN attempts to increase, VR will

A. increase.

B. decrease.

C. remain the same.

Answer: Option A

14. An LED is forward-biased. The diode should be on, but

no light is showing. A possible trouble might be
A. the diode is open.

B. the series resistor is too small.

C. none. The diode should be off if forward-biased.

D. the power supply voltage is too high.

Answer: Option A

15. A 6.2 V zener is rated at 1 watt. The maximum safe

current the zener can carry is
 A. 1.61 A.

B. 161 mA.

C. 16.1 mA.

D. 1.61 mA.

Answer: Option B

16. Refer to this figure. Find the tunnel diode symbol.

A. a

B. b

C. c

D. d

E. e

Answer: Option D

17. Refer to this figure. If the load current increases, IR will

________ and IZ will ________.

A. remain the same, increase

B. decrease, remain the same

C. increase, remain the same

D. remain the same, decrease

Answer: Option D

18. The process of emitting photons from a semiconductive

material is called
 A. photoluminescence.

B. gallium arsenide.

C. electroluminescence.

D. gallium phosphide.

Answer: Option C

19. An 8.2 V zener has a resistance of 5 . The actual

voltage across its terminals when the current is 25 mA is
A. 8.2 V.

B. 125 mV.

C. 8.325 V.

D. 8.075 V.

Answer: Option C

20. What diode operates only with majority carriers?

A. laser

B. tunnel

C. Schottky

D. step-recovery

Answer: Option C

21. Refer to this figure. Which symbol is correct for a

photodiode?

A. a

B. b

C. c

D. d

E. e

Answer: Option C

22. What type of diode maintains a constant current?

 A. LED

B. zener

C. current regulator

D. pin

E. none of the above

Answer: Option C

23. What diode is used in seven-segment displays?

A. zener

B. LED

C. laser

D. Schottky

Answer: Option B

24. Refer to this figure. If VIN decreases, IR will

A. increase.

B. decrease.

C. remain the same.

Answer: Option B

25. Zener diodes with breakdown voltages greater than 5 V

operate predominantly in what type of breakdown?
A. avalanche

B. zener

C. varactor

D. Schottky

Answer: Option A

26. Back-to-back varactor diodes are used for what reason?

 A. over-voltage protection

B. a wider tuning range

C. to eliminate harmonic distortion

no reason; only zeners are used in a back-to-

D.
back configuration

Answer: Option C

27. A tunnel diode is used

A. in high-power circuits.

B. in circuits requiring negative resistance.

C. in very fast-switching circuits.

D. in power supply rectifiers.

Answer: Option B

28. What type of diode is commonly used in electronic tuners

in TVs?
A. varactor

B. Schottky

C. LED

D. Gunn

Answer: Option A

29. A laser diode normally emits

A. coherent light.

B. monochromatic light.

C. coherent and monochromatic light.

D. neither coherent nor monochromatic light.

Answer: Option C

30. A varactor is a pn junction diode that always operates in

________-bias and is doped to ________ the inherent
capacitance of the depletion region.
A. forward, maximize

B. reverse, maximize

C. reverse, minimize

D. forward, minimize
Answer: Option B
Special-Purpose Diodes - True or False

1. The forward voltage across an LED is typically 0.7 V.

A. True
B. False

Answer: Option B

2. A photodiode is used in a reverse-bias position, and it will

increase conduction as the light intensity increases.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A

3. A tunnel diode has a negative-resistance characteristic.

A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A

4. Two types of reverse breakdown in a zener diode are

avalanche and zener.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A

5. Schottky diodes are used primarily in high-frequency and

fast-switching applications.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A

6. OLEDs can be sprayed onto a substrate using an inkjet

printer.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A

7. When no light is emitted from an LED, the forward current

is almost negligible and is called the dark current.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option B

8. With varactor diodes, junction capacitance varies with the

amount of forward-bias voltage.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option B
9. The ability to keep the reverse current essentially constant
is the key feature of the zener diode.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option B

10. An LED emits light when forward-biased.

A. True
B. False

Answer: Option A

11. The regulating ability of zener diodes depends on their

ability to operate in a forward-bias condition.
A. True
B. False

Answer: Option B
Semiconductor Diodes - General Questions

1. One eV is equal to ________ J.

A. 6.02 × 1023

B. 1.6 × 10–19

C. 6.25 × 1018

D. 1.66 × 10–24
Answer: Option B

2. The diode ________.

A. is the simplest of semiconductor devices

has characteristics that closely match those of a

B.
simple switch

C. is a two-terminal device

D. All of the above

Answer: Option D

3. It is not uncommon for a germanium diode with an Is in

the order of 1–2 A at 25°C to have leakage current of
0.1 mA at a temperature of 100°C.
A. True

B. False

Answer: Option A

4. What does a high resistance reading in both forward- and

reverse-bias directions indicate?
A. A good diode

B. An open diode

C. A shorted diode

D. A defective ohmmeter

Answer: Option B

5. Which capacitance dominates in the reverse-bias region?

A. depletion

B. conversion

C. 40 Diffusion

D. 140 None of the above

Answer: Option A
6. What is the state of an ideal diode in the region of
nonconduction?
A. An open circuit

B. A short circuit

C. Unpredictable

D. Undefined

Answer: Option A

7. How many orbiting electrons does the germanium atom

have?
A. 4

B. 14

C. 32

D. 41

Answer: Option C

8. How many terminals does a diode have?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

Answer: Option B

9. What unit is used to represent the level of a diode forward

current IF?
A. pA

B. nA

C. A

D. mA

Answer: Option D

10. The diffused impurities with ________ valence electrons

are called donor atoms.
A. 4

B. 3

C. 5

D. 0
 Answer: Option C

11. In which of the following color(s) is (are) LEDs presently

available?
A. Yellow

B. White

C. Orange

D. All of the above

Answer: Option D

12. Determining rd to a high degree of accuracy from a

characteristic curve is very accurate.
A. True

B. False

Answer: Option B

13. What is the range of the operating voltage level for LEDs?
A. 5–12 mV

B. 1.7–3.3 V

C. 5–12 V

D. 20–25 V

Answer: Option B

14. At what kind of operating frequency diffusion or transition

is a capacitor represented in parallel with the ideal diode?
A. Low frequency

B. Moderate frequency

C. Mid frequency

D. Very high frequency

Answer: Option D

15. Which of the following devices can check the condition of

a semiconductor diode?
A. Digital display meter (DDM)

B. Multimeter

C. Curve tracer

D. All of the above

Answer: Option D
16. Which of the following is an atom composed of?
A. Electrons

B. Protons

C. Neutrons

D. All of the above

Answer: Option D

17. The condition of a semiconductor diode can be

determined quickly using a ________.
A. DDM

B. VOM

C. curve tracer

D. Any of the above

Answer: Option D

18. How many valence electrons does a silicon atom have?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

Answer: Option D

19. What is the resistor value of an ideal diode in the region

of conduction?
A. 0

B. 5 k

C. Undefined

D. Infinity

Answer: Option A

20. Calculate the power dissipation of a diode having ID = 40

mA.
A. 28 mW

B. 28 W

C. 280 mW

D. Undefined
 Answer: Option A

21. Calculate static resistance RD of a diode having ID = 30

mA and VD = 0.75 V.
A. 25

B. 40

C. 0.04

D. 0.025

Answer: Option A

22. In which of the following is the light intensity measured?

A. Candela

B. Efficacy

C. Flux

D. Illumination

Answer: Option A

23. Calculate ID if RD = 30 and VD = 0.84 V.

A. 28 mA

B. 0.028 mA

C. 2.8 A

D. 280 A

Answer: Option A

24. Which of the following elements is most frequently used

for doping pure Ge or Si?
A. Boron

B. Gallium

C. Indium

D. All of the above

Answer: Option D

25. Calculate the temperature coefficient in %/° C of a 10-V

nominal Zener diode at 25° C if the nominal voltage is
10.2 V at 100° C.
A. 0.0238

B. 0.0251

C. 0.0267
 D. 0.0321
Answer: Option C
26. In general, LEDs operate at voltage levels from
________ V to ________ V.
A. 1.0, 3.0

B. 1.7, 3.3

C. 0.5, 4.0

D. None of the above

Answer: Option B

27. Determine the nominal voltage for the Zener diode at a

temperature of 120° C if the nominal voltage is 5.1 volts
at 25° C and the temperature coefficient is 0.05%/° C.
A. 4.6 V

B. 4.86 V

C. 5.1 V

D. 5.34 V

Answer: Option D

28. What is the maximum power rating for LEDs?

A. 150 mW

B. 500 mW

C. 1 W

D. 10 W

Answer: Option A

29. The ________ diode model is employed most frequently

in the analysis of electronic systems.
A. ideal device

B. Simplified

C. piecewise-linear

Answer: Option B

30. What is the value of the transition capacitance for a

silicon diode when VD = 0? (Choose the best answer.)
A. 1 pF

B. 3 pF

C. 5 pF
 D. 10 pF

Answer: Option B
31. Which of the following ratings is true?
Si diodes have higher PIV and narrower
A.
temperature ranges than Ge diodes.

Si diodes have higher PIV and wider temperature

B.
ranges than Ge diodes.

Si diodes have lower PIV and narrower

C.
temperature ranges than Ge diodes.

Si diodes have lower PIV and wider temperature

D.
ranges than Ge diodes.

Answer: Option B

32. The ideal diode is a(n) ________ circuit in the region of

nonconduction.
A. open

B. Short

Answer: Option A
]
33. Which capacitance dominates in the forward-bias region?
A. Diffusion

B. Transition

C. Depletion

D. None of the above

Answer: Option A

34. In what state is a silicon diode if the voltage drop across

it is about 0.7 V?
A. No bias

B. Forward bias

C. Reverse bias

D. Zener region

Answer: Option B

Semiconductor Diodes - Filling the Blanks

1. Generally the value of ac resistance is ________ the value

of dc resistance at the same operating point.
A. smaller than
B. larger than
C. the same as
D. unrelated to

Answer: Option A
2. The forward characteristics curve of a diode grows in
________ form.
A. linear
B. exponential
C. logarithmic
D. sinusoidal

Answer: Option B

3. An increase in temperature of a semiconductor can result in

a ________ in the number of free electrons in the material.
A. substantial increase
B. substantial decrease
C. slight decrease
D. no change

Answer: Option A

4. In the atomic lattice the ________ and ________ form the

nucleus.
A. electrons, neutrons
B. electrons, protons
C. neutrons, protons
D. None of the above

Answer: Option C

5. Ge and Si have a(n) ________ coefficient in forward bias.

A. positive temperature
B. negative temperature
C. absolute temperature
D. temperature free

Answer: Option B

6. The term ________ is often used when comparing the

resistance level of materials.
A. permittivity
B. inductivity
C. conductivity
D. resistivity

Answer: Option D

7. The reverse recovery time of most commercial switching

diodes is in the range of ________.
A. picoseconds
B. a few nanoseconds
C. several microseconds
D. milliseconds
Answer: Option B

12. Any electron that has left its parent atom has ________
energy state relative to any electron in the atomic structure.
A. the same
B. a lower
C. a higher
D. an undefined

Answer: Option C

13. Varying the ________ can control the location of the Zener
region.
A. forward current
B. doping levels
C. forward voltage
D. dc resistance

Answer: Option B

14. The ac resistance of a diode is the ________ of the

characteristic curve at the Q-point of operation.
A. reciprocal of the slope
B. slope
C. midpoint
D. average value

Answer: Option A

15. The potential at which the characteristics curve vertical rise

occurs is commonly referred to as the ________.
A. offset
B. threshold
C. firing potential
D. All of the above

Answer: Option D

16. The reverse saturation current Is will just ________ in

magnitude for every 10° C increase in temperature.
A. double
B. remain the same
C. halve
D. triple

Answer: Option A

17. The intensity of LED is greatest at ________ degrees and

the least at ________ degrees.
A. 0, 90
B. 45, 90
C. 0, 45
D. 90, 180
Answer: Option A

18. Introducing those impurity elements that have ________

valence electrons creates the n-type material.
A. 0
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

Answer: Option D

19. The reverse-bias current ________ with the increase of

temperature.
A. decreases
B. increases
C. remains the same
D. None of the above

Answer: Option B

20. The test current in a Zener diode IZT is the current defined
by the ________ power level.
A. 0.25
B. 0.5
C. 0.75
D. 1.00

Answer: Option A

21. The temperature coefficient can be ________ for different

Zener levels.
A. positive
B. negative
C. zero
D. All of the above

Answer: Option D

22. The diffused impurities with ________ valence electrons

are called acceptor atoms.
A. 0
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5

Answer: Option B

23. A(n) ________ is the simplest of semiconductor devices.

A. diode
B. transistor
C. operational amplifier
D. SCR
Answer: Option A

24. The reverse-saturation current level is typically measured

in ________.
A. pA
B. A
C. mA
D. A

Answer: Option B

25. The depletion width ________ in the forward bias, which

results in having a majority flow across the junction.
A. widens
B. remains unchanged
C. shrinks
D. widens and shrinks alternatively

Answer: Option C
Diode Applications - General Questions

1. Determine the total discharge time for the capacitor in a

clamper having C = 0.01 F and R = 500 k .
A. 5 ms

B. 25 ms

C. 2.5 ms

D. 50 ms

Answer: Option B

2. Which element dictates the maximum level of source

voltage?

A. VZ

B. IZM

C. IZ

D. None of the above

Answer: Option B

3. What type of diode circuit is used to clip off portions of

signal voltages above or below certain levels?
A. clipper or limiter

B. clamper

C. IC voltage regulator

D. none of the above

Answer: Option A

4. Each diode in a center-tapped full-wave rectifier is

________ -biased and conducts for ________ of the
input cycle.
A. forward, 90º

B. reverse, 180º

C. forward, 180º

D. reverse, 90º
 Answer: Option C

5. What is the voltage measured from the negative terminal of

C4 to the negative terminal of the transformer?

A. –10 V

B. –20 V

C. 10 V

D. 20 V

Answer: Option B

6. The output frequency of a full-wave rectifier is ________

the input frequency.
A. one-half

B. equal to

C. twice

D. one-quarter

Answer: Option C

7. PIV is which of the following?

A. peak input voltage

B. peak inverse voltage

C. peak immediate voltage

D. positive input voltage

Answer: Option B

8. Determine the peak value of the current through the load

resistor.
 A. 2.325 mA

B. 5 mA

C. 1.25 mA

D. 0 mA

Answer: Option A

9. Determine the peak value of the output waveform.

A. 25 V

B. 15 V

C. –25 V

D. –15 V

Answer: Option B

10. In a regulated supply, what term describes how much

change occurs in the output voltage for a given change in
the input voltage?
A. load regulation

B. voltage regulator

C. line regulation

D. ripple voltage

Answer: Option C

11. A short circuit has a ________ drop across its terminals,

and the current is limited only by the surrounding
network.
A. 5 V

B. 0 V

C. 1 V

D.

Answer: Option B
12. Determine the peak for both half cycles of the output
waveform.

A. 16 V, –4 V

B. 16 V, 4 V

C. –16 V, 4 V

D. –16 V, –4 V

Answer: Option A

13. What is the peak inverse voltage across each diode in a

voltage doubler?
A. Vm

B. 2Vm

C. 0.5Vm

D. 0.25Vm

Answer: Option B

14. What is the VRRM (PIV rating) for the 1N4001 rectifier
diode?
A. 50 V

B. 100 V

C. 200 V

D. 400 V

E. none of the above

Answer: Option A

15. What type of diode circuit is used to add or restore a dc

level to an electrical signal?
A. clipper or limiter

B. clamper

C. IC voltage regulator

D. none of the above

 Answer: Option B

16. Determine ID2.

A. 6.061 mA

B. 0.7 mA

C. 3.393 mA

D. 3.571 mA

Answer: Option C

17. What is the logic function of this circuit?

A. Positive logic AND gate

B. Positive logic OR gate

C. Negative logic AND gate

D. Negative logic OR gate

Answer: Option A

18. In a regulated supply, what term describes how much

change occurs in the output voltage over a certain range
of load current values, from minimum to maximum
current?
A. line regulation

B. voltage regulator

C. current regulator
 D. load regulation

Answer: Option D

19. Determine the average value of the current through the

load resistor.

A. 2.5 mA

B. 0 mA

C. 1.37 mA

D. 1.479 mA

Answer: Option D

20. What best describes the circuit?

A. Full-wave rectifier

B. Half-wave rectifier

C. Clipper

D. Clamper

Answer: Option A

21. What is the PIV for each diode in a full-wave center-

tapped rectifier? Note: Vp(out) = peak output voltage.
A. Vp(out) – 0.7 V

B. Vp(out) + 0.7 V
 C. 2Vp(out) – 0.7 V

D. 2Vp(out) + 0.7 V

Answer: Option D

22.Determine ID2.

A. 29.40 mA

B. 30.30 mA

C. 14.70 mA

D. None of the above

Answer: Option C

23. Determine the current level if E = 15 V and R = 3 k .

A. 0 A

B. 4.76 mA

C. 5 mA

D. 5 A

Answer: Option B

24. Determine V2.

A. 3.201 V

B. 0 V
 C. 4.3 V

D. 1.371 V

Answer: Option D

25. If the ac supply is 50 Hz, what will be the ripple frequency

out of the full-wave rectifier?
A. 50 Hz

B. 60 Hz

C. 100 Hz

D. 120 Hz

Answer: Option C

26. How many terminals do the 7800 series fixed positive

voltage regulators have?
A. 2

B. 3

C. 4

D. 5

E. none of the above

Answer: Option B

27. An open circuit can have any voltage across its terminals,
but the current is always ________.
A. 5 A

B. 0 A

C. 1 A

D.

Answer: Option B

28. Determine ID1.

A. 0 mA

B. 29.40 mA
 C. 14.70 mA

D. 14.09 mA

Answer: Option A

29. Refer to the figure given below. Which diode arrangement

will supply a negative output voltage?

A. a

B. b

C. c

D. d

Answer: Option C

30. A silicon diode in a half-wave rectifier has a barrier

potential of 0.7 V. This has the effect of
A. reducing the peak output voltage by 0.7 V.

B. increasing the peak output voltage by 0.7 V.

C. reducing the peak input voltage by 0.7 V.

D. no effect.

Answer: Option A

31. What best describes the circuit?

A. Full-wave rectifier

B. Half-wave rectifier

C. Clipper
 D. Clamper

Answer: Option C

32. Determine the value of the load resistor.

A. RL = 5 k

B. RL = 5.5 k

C. RL = 6 k

D. None of the above

Answer: Option B

33. Use the information provided here to determine the value

of IDQ.

A. 0 mA

B. 4.3 mA

C. 5 mA

D. 10 mA

Answer: Option B

34. If the ac supply is 60 Hz, what will be the ripple frequency

out of the half-wave rectifier?
A. 30 Hz

B. 50 Hz

C. 60 Hz
 D. 120 Hz

Answer: Option C

35. Calculate IL and IZ.

A. 2 mA, 0 mA

B. 4 mA, 2 mA

C. 2 mA, 2 mA

D. 2 mA, 4 mA

Answer: Option D

36. In the operation of a half-wave rectifier with a capacitor-

input filter, the ripple factor can be lowered by ________
the value of the filter capacitor or ________ the load
resistors.
A. decreasing, decreasing

B. decreasing, increasing

C. increasing, decreasing

D. increasing, increasing

Answer: Option D

3 Refer to the figure given below. The probable trouble, if any,

7. indicated by these voltages is

A. one of the diodes is open.

B. a diode is shorted.
 C. an open transformer secondary.

D. the filter capacitor is shorted.

E. no trouble exists.

Answer: Option D

38. In a particular problem, which mode has the highest level

of IDQ?
A. Ideal

B. Approximate equivalent

C. Exact mode using characteristic curve

D. None of the above

Answer: Option A

39. Which diode(s) has (have) a zero level current and

voltage drop in the ideal model?
A. Si

B. Ge

C. Both Si and Ge

D. Neither Si nor Ge

Answer: Option C

40. Determine Vo if E1 = E2 = 10 V.

A. 9.3 V

B. 10 V

C. –10 V

D. 0 V

Answer: Option B
41. The output frequency of a half-wave rectifier is ________
the input frequency.
A. one-half

B. twice

C. equal to

D. none of the above

Answer: Option C

42. A diode is in the "________" state if the current

established by the applied sources is such that its
direction matches that of the arrow in the diode symbol,
and VD ≥ 0.7 V for Si and VD ≥ 0.3 V for Ge.
A. off

B. on

C. neutral

D. quiescent

Answer: Option B

43. Determine ID.

A. 0 mA

B. 1.893 mA

C. 2.036 mA

D. 2.143 mA

Answer: Option B

44. What best describes the circuit?

A. Full-wave rectifier

B. Half-wave rectifier

C. Clipper
 D. Clamper

Answer: Option B

45. In a voltage-multiplier circuit, the number of diodes is

directly proportional to the multiplicative voltage factor.
A. True

B. False
Answer: Option A

46. Rectifiers are commonly used in battery chargers.

A. True

B. False
Answer: Option A

47. List the categories of clippers.

A. Series

B. Parallel

C. Series and parallel

D. None of the above

Answer: Option C

48. A silicon diode has a voltage to ground of –117 V from

the anode. The voltage to ground from the cathode is –
117.7 V. The diode is
A. open.

B. shorted.

C. forward-biased.

D. reverse-biased.

Answer: Option C

49. Which diode arrangement will supply a positive output

voltage?
 A. a

B. b

C. c

D. d

Answer: Option A

50. What is the logic function of this circuit?

A. Positive logic AND gate

B. Positive logic OR gate

C. Negative logic AND gate

D. Negative logic OR gate

Answer: Option B

51. Determine the current through each diode if E1 = E2 = 0

V.
 A. 4.65 mA

B. 9.3 mA

C. 18.6 mA

D. 0.7 mA

Answer: Option A

52. Refer to the figure given below. If the voltmeter across the
transformer reads 0 V, the probable trouble, if any, would
be

A. one of the diodes is open.

B. a diode is shorted.

C. an open transformer secondary.

D. the filter capacitor is shorted.

E. no trouble exists.

Answer: Option C

53. Determine the voltage across the resistor.

A. 0 V

B. 0.09 V

C. 0.2 V
 D. 0.44 V

Answer: Option A

54. With this Zener diode in its "on state," what is the level of
IZ for the maximum load resistance?

A. 0 mA

B. Undefined

C. Equal to IRL

D. IZM

Answer: Option D

55. In a voltage regulator network with fixed RL and R, what

element dictates the minimum level of source voltage?
A. VZ

B. IZ

C. IZM

D. None of the above

Answer: Option A
Explanation:
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Diode Applications - Filling the Blanks

1. The load line is defined by the ________ and a

characteristic curve is defined by the ________.
A. quiescent point, device

B. device, network

C. network, device

D. None of the above

Answer: Option C

2. The slope of the load line depends on the ________.

A. type of the diode used
 B. characteristic curve

C. load resistor

D. source voltage

Answer: Option C

3. The combination of a short circuit in series with an open

circuit always results in a(n) ________ circuit.
A. open

B. short

C. neither short nor open

D. unknown

Answer: Option A

4. The quiescent point (Q-point) is defined by a(n)

________.
A. ac network

B. dc network

C. ac and dc network

D. None of the above

Answer: Option B

5. A diode is in the ________ state if the current established

by the applied sources is such that its direction matches
that of the arrow in the diode symbol and VD > 0.7 V.
A. off

B. reverse bias

C. on

D. transition

Answer: Option C

6. The x-intercept of the load line with the characteristic

curve is determined by the ________.
A. load resistor

B. diode

C. source voltage and the load resistor

D. source voltage

Answer: Option D
7. A germanium diode is approximated by ________
equivalent for voltages less than 0.3 V.
A. a short circuit

B. a series circuit

C. a parallel circuit

D. an open circuit
Answer: Option D
Explanation:
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8. A clamping network must have ________.

A. a capacitor

B. a diode

C. a resistive element

D. All of the above

Answer: Option D

9. With the Zener diode in the "on" state, increasing IL will

________ IZ and ________IR.

A. decrease, increase

B. increase, decrease

C. decrease, keep the same level of

D. increase, keep the same level of

Answer: Option C

10. A Zener diode is in a ________ impedance region in the

forward bias while it has a ________ impedance region
in the reverse bias.
A. very large, low

B. very large, very large

C. low, low

D. low, very large

 Answer: Option D

11. The full-wave voltage doubler provides ________ filtering

action than (as) the half-wave voltage doubler.
A. better

B. poorer

C. the same

D. None of the above

Answer: Option A

12. Once the Zener diode is in the "on" state, VZ is always

________ VL.

A. larger than

B. smaller than

C. the same as

D. None of the above

Answer: Option C

13. The absence of the Si or Ge and VD label on a diode

denotes ________ notation.
A. approximate model

B. ideal model

C. exact model

D. None of the above

Answer: Option B
Explanation:
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14. Zener diodes are used in regulator networks to

________.
A. generate voltage

B. consume power
 C. maintain a fixed voltage across the load resistor

D. protect the load

Answer: Option C

15. For the ideal diode the transition between states will
occur at the point on the characteristic curve when VD =
________ V and ID = ________ A.
A. 0.3, 0

B. 0, 0

C. 0.7, 0

D. 0.7, 0.3

Answer: Option B

16. In this voltage multiplier, measuring from the top of the

transformer winding will provide ________ multiples of
Vmat the output, whereas measuring the output voltage
from the bottom of the transformer will provide ________
multiples of the peak Vm.

A. odd, even

B. even, odd

C. odd, odd

D. even, even

Answer: Option A

17. For the "off" state of a Zener diode, the voltage across
the diode should be ________.
A. greater than VZ

B. zero

C. less than VZ but greater than zero

D. None of the above

Answer: Option C

18. The intersection of the load line with the characteristic

curve determines the ________ of the system.
A. point of operation
 B. load-line analysis

C. characteristic curve

D. forward bias

Answer: Option A

19. The dc voltage level of a silicon diode is ________ its

ideal model.
A. smaller than

B. larger than

C. the same as

D. None of the above

Answer: Option B
Explanation:
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20. As the load resistor increases, the slope of the dc load

line and the levels of diode current ________.
A. increase

B. decrease

C. remain unchanged

D. are unpredictable

Answer: Option B

21. The source voltage must be ________ the voltage drop

across the diode to conduct the diode.
A. larger than

B. smaller than

C. the same as

D. None of the above

Answer: Option A

22. The process of removing one-half the input signal to

establish a dc level is called ________.
A. rectifier

B. full-wave rectifier

C. half-wave rectifier

D. filtering
 Answer: Option C

23. The ratio of the total swing of the output of a clamper to

its input total swing is ________.
A. 1

B. 2

C. 0.5

D. 0

Answer: Option A

24. The PIV rating of the diodes in a full-wave rectifier must

be larger than ________ Vm.
A. 0.318

B. 0.636

C. 2

D. 1

Answer: Option D

25. In a half-wave voltage doubler, the voltage across output

capacitor C2 drops across the load during the ________
half cycle and the capacitor is recharged up to ________
during the ________ half cycle.

A. negative, 2Vm, positive

B. positive, Vm, negative

C. positive, 2Vm, negative

D. negative, Vm, positive

Answer: Option C

Diode Applications - True or False

1. Voltage multipliers take a dc input voltage, and provide a

dc output voltage at a multiple of the input.
A. True

B. False
 Answer: Option B

2. For a given input frequency, a half-wave rectifier is easier

to filter than a full-wave rectifier.
A. True

B. False

Answer: Option B

3. Ripple voltage is caused by the charging and discharging

of the filter capacitor.
A. True

B. False

Answer: Option A

4. For greatest reliability, and longest life, diodes should be

operated at their maximum ratings.
A. True

B. False

Answer: Option B

5. A diode conducts current when reverse-biased and

blocks current when forward-biased.
A. True

B. False

Answer: Option B

6. A single diode in a half-wave rectifier conducts for 180°

of the input cycle.
A. True

B. False

Answer: Option A

7. Diode limiters add a dc level to an ac signal.

A. True

B. False

Answer: Option B

8. In a diode clamper, the capacitor retains a charge

approximately equal to the peak value of the input.
A. True
 B. False

Answer: Option A

9. VRRM is the same as PIV rating.

A. True

B. False

Answer: Option A

10. The output voltage of a center-tapped full-wave rectifier

equals the secondary output voltage.
A. True

B. False

Answer: Option B