Multiple Choice Questions on Diodes [Including EAMCET 2009 (Engineering) and AIEEE 2006 Questions]

Questions from electronics, especially those involving the use of diodes are generally simple at the level expected of you. Here are a few questions on diodes:

(1) Currents flowing in each of the following circuits A and B respectively are

(1) 1A, 2 A

(2) 2 A, 1 A

(3) 4 A, 2 A

(4) 2 A, 4 A

This question appeared in EAMCET 2009 (Engineering) question paper.

In circuit A both diodes are forward biased and hence the circuit reduces to two 4 Ω resistors connected across the 8 V battery. Since the parallel combined value of the two resistors is 2 Ω, the current delivered by the battery is 8 V/2 Ω = 4 A.

In circuit B one diode is forward biased and the other diode is reverse biased and hence the circuit reduces to just one 4 Ω resistor connected across the 8 V battery. The current delivered by the battery is therefore 8 V/4 Ω = 2 A. The correct option is (3).

The following questions [No. (2) and (No. (3)] were included in AIEEE 2006 question paper:

(2) In the following, which one of the diodes is reverse biased?

You should note that all potentials are with respect to the ground. Therefore the diode in circuit (1) is reverse biased.

[In circuit (2) the anode of the diode is at a higher positive potential compared to its cathode and hence it is forward biased. In circuit (3) the cathode of the diode is at a higher negative potential and hence it is forward biased. In circuit (4) the cathode of the diode is at a negative potential and hence it is forward biased].

(3) The circuit has two oppositely connected ideal diodes in parallel. What is the current flowing in the circuit?

(1) 1.33 A

(2) 1.71 A

(3) 2.00 A

(4) 2.31 A

Since the diode D₁ is reverse biased, no current will flow through D₁ and the 3 Ω resistor. The current delivered by the battery is limited by the 4 Ω and the 2 Ω resistors only and is equal to 12 V/(4+2)Ω = 2 A.

The following question is meant for checking your grasp of the behaviour of semiconductor diodes:

(4) In the circuit shown the diodes used are silicon rectifier diodes which require a forward bias of 0.7 volt for appreciable conduction. Their leakage current is negligible. The internal resistance of the battery is insignificant. The potential difference between the terminals A and B is very nearly equal to

(a) 6 V

(b) 3 V

(c) 5.3 V

(d) 0.7 V

(e) 0 V

The upper diode is reverse biased and can be ignored. The lower diode which is connected across the terminals A and B is forward biased and hence keeps the voltage across A and B at 0.7 V [Option (d)].

[You can use the voltage drop across a forward biased diode as a small reference voltage in electronic circuits just as you use the relatively larger breakdown voltages of reverse biased zener diodes].