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Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?
  • a)
    In intrinsic semiconductors, the number of electrons is equal to the number of holes at anytemperature
  • b)
    An intrinsic semiconductor changes to an n-type semiconductor upon addition of a trivalentelement
  • c)
    The shape of the I-V characteristics of a p-n diode is a straight line
  • d)
    In the reverse bias condition, the current in a p-n diode is due to the minority carriers
Correct answer is option 'A,D'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?a)In intrinsic semicon...
Statement A: In intrinsic semiconductors, the number of electrons is equal to the number of holes at any temperature.
In an intrinsic semiconductor, the number of electrons and the number of holes are equal at any temperature. This is because at absolute zero temperature, all the electrons are in the valence band and there are no free electrons in the conduction band. However, as the temperature increases, some electrons gain enough energy to move from the valence band to the conduction band, creating free electrons. At the same time, some electrons from the conduction band fall back into the valence band, leaving behind holes. The rate at which electrons move from the valence band to the conduction band is equal to the rate at which electrons move from the conduction band to the valence band, resulting in an equal number of electrons and holes in an intrinsic semiconductor.

Statement D: In the reverse bias condition, the current in a p-n diode is due to the minority carriers.
In a p-n diode, when it is reverse biased, the positive terminal of the battery is connected to the n-side of the diode and the negative terminal is connected to the p-side. This creates a reverse electric field across the diode, which opposes the flow of majority carriers (electrons in the n-side and holes in the p-side) and attracts the minority carriers (holes in the n-side and electrons in the p-side).

The majority carriers are unable to overcome the reverse electric field and contribute very little to the reverse bias current. On the other hand, the minority carriers, which are normally present in small quantities in the p-n diode, are accelerated by the reverse electric field and contribute significantly to the reverse bias current. Therefore, in the reverse bias condition, the current in a p-n diode is primarily due to the minority carriers.

Explanation:
Intrinsic semiconductors have an equal number of electrons and holes at any temperature. This is because the rate at which electrons move from the valence band to the conduction band is equal to the rate at which electrons move from the conduction band to the valence band. Therefore, statement A is true.

In a p-n diode under reverse bias condition, the majority carriers are unable to contribute significantly to the current due to the opposing electric field. However, the minority carriers, which are normally present in small quantities, are accelerated by the reverse electric field and contribute significantly to the reverse bias current. Therefore, statement D is also true.

Statements B and C are false. An intrinsic semiconductor does not change to an n-type semiconductor upon addition of a trivalent element (statement B). Instead, it becomes a p-type semiconductor due to the introduction of holes. The shape of the I-V characteristics of a p-n diode is not a straight line (statement C), but rather a curve with different regions of operation.

In conclusion, statement A and D are true, while statements B and C are false.
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Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?a)In intrinsic semiconductors, the number of electrons is equal to the number of holes at anytemperatureb)An intrinsic semiconductor changes to an n-type semiconductor upon addition of a trivalentelementc)The shape of the I-V characteristics of a p-n diode is a straight lined)In the reverse bias condition, the current in a p-n diode is due to the minority carriersCorrect answer is option 'A,D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?a)In intrinsic semiconductors, the number of electrons is equal to the number of holes at anytemperatureb)An intrinsic semiconductor changes to an n-type semiconductor upon addition of a trivalentelementc)The shape of the I-V characteristics of a p-n diode is a straight lined)In the reverse bias condition, the current in a p-n diode is due to the minority carriersCorrect answer is option 'A,D'. Can you explain this answer? for IIT JAM 2024 is part of IIT JAM preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the IIT JAM exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?a)In intrinsic semiconductors, the number of electrons is equal to the number of holes at anytemperatureb)An intrinsic semiconductor changes to an n-type semiconductor upon addition of a trivalentelementc)The shape of the I-V characteristics of a p-n diode is a straight lined)In the reverse bias condition, the current in a p-n diode is due to the minority carriersCorrect answer is option 'A,D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for IIT JAM 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following statement(s) is/are true?a)In intrinsic semiconductors, the number of electrons is equal to the number of holes at anytemperatureb)An intrinsic semiconductor changes to an n-type semiconductor upon addition of a trivalentelementc)The shape of the I-V characteristics of a p-n diode is a straight lined)In the reverse bias condition, the current in a p-n diode is due to the minority carriersCorrect answer is option 'A,D'. Can you explain this answer?.
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