Introduction
We watch T.V. in our houses for entertainment, news, sports live etc. We use computers for multi-purposes. We use calculators, electronic watches, digital thermometers, digital glucometers to measure the amount of glucose in our body and so on. There are a number of devices which we use in our day to day life which are based on the subject matter of this chapter. The chapter is all about the branch of physics called electronics. There is no wonder to say that we are living in the age of electronics. It is prevailing in every walk of our life. The most powerful discovery of this branch of physics is the mobile technology which has become an inevitable part of our life. This chapter deals with the components of electronics such as semiconductors, diodes,
ENERGY BANDS IN SOLIDS
In an isolated atom, electrons present in energy level but in solid, atoms are not isolated. There is interaction among each other Due to this, energy level split into different energy levels. Quantity of these different energy levels depends on the quantity of interacting atoms. Splitting of sharp and closely compact energy levels result into energy band. This is discrete in nature.
Let use see the energy bands in sodium.
When the sodium atoms are far apart, all 3 s electrons have same energy and as we begin to move them together, the energy levels begin to “split”. The situation for four sodium atoms is shown in figure. As the number of atoms is increased (may be 1()

Fig. 10.1- Energy bands in sodium metal (
Each band has a total of
Figure shows a complete representation of energy bands in sodium metal. The
When we add energy to a system i.e., to sodium metal, the electron can move from filled state to empty state. In this case, the electron can move from partially full states of
In a solid at zero temperature, the electron settle into the available states of lowest energy. The lower energy bands will therefore be completely filled and the upper most energy band will be either filled or partially filled, depending on the number of electrons
CONDUCTORS :
A conductor such as sodium, has a partially filled band (in sodium, the upper most band

Fig.10.2 Origin of energy bands in sodium metals, as atoms move together the energy level spreads into bands
Fig. 10.3: Three types of energy band structure
(a) An insulator at absolute zero. A completely full valence band (V.B) is separated by a gap of several electron volt (may be 5 or 6 eV)from a completely empty conduction band (C.B) and electrons in the V.B can not move. At finite temperature, few electrons can reach upper band.
(b) A conductor at any temperature. There is a partially filled valence band and electrons are free to move in unoccupied states of valence band (may be called conduction band) when an electric field is applied.
(c) A semiconductor at
Because each sodium atom has only one valence electron but eight
INSULATORS
In these substances (such as diamond), the upper most level is completely filled i.e., no unoccupied state is available for electron to move. The nearest unoccupied states are in next band (called C.B), but this is separated from filled band (called V.B) by an energy gap of about
SEMICONDUCTOR
A semiconductor, has a completely filled valence band i.e., it resembles an insulator at zero temperature. However, the gap between this filled valence band and next band (C.B) is small, about
(i) Intrinsic Semiconductor :
These semiconductors are pure materials in which the thermal vibrations of the lattice have liberated charge carriers (i.e., electrons & holes). In intrinsic semiconductor, the number of electrons are equal to the number of holes.
(ii) Extrinsic Semiconductor :
They are impure semiconductors in which minutes traces of impurity introduces mobile charge carriers [which may be +ive (holes) or-ive (electrons)] in addition to those liberated by thermal vibration. Again there are two types of Extrinsic semiconductors.
N-type semiconductor
When a pure semiconductor (

P-type semiconductor
When a pure semiconductor (

KNOWLEDGE ENHANCER
Comparison between conductor, semiconductor and insulator :
PRINCIPLE OF THE p-n JUNCTION DIODE
If we join a piece of

Fig 10.7 : Fixed ion or immobile charge carriers
Due to this difference in concentration, density gradient is established across the junction resulting in majority carriers diffusion: Holes diffuses (+ive ions) from
Important terms in p-n junction :
(i) Diffusion Current :
We know that due to concentration difference, holes diffuse from
The electric potential of
(ii) Drift Current :
Due to thermal collision, some times a covalent bond is broken and electron-hole pair is created. But those electron-hole pairs are destroyed easily due to recombination. This process generation of electron-hole (
But, if e-h pair is created in depletion region, the electron is quickly pushed by electric field towards
In steady state the magnitude of drift current is equal to diffusion current & since they are in opposite direction, hence there is no net transfer of charge at any cross-section.
This recombination produces narrow region near junction called depletion layer. Since, this region is depleted of free or mobile charge carrier and contains only immobile charge carriers, hence it is called depletion region. Due to these immobile charge carriers, a potential barrier
Fig 10.8
In figure (a) the triangle shows the direction of current. For
Forward bias :
When

Fig. 10.9
Reverse bias :
When
In forward bias, the thickness of depletion layer decreases (and potential barrier height also reduces), while in reverse bias, the thickness of depletion layer increases and potential barrier also increases). In forward bias the current increases exponentially and in reverse bias, the current remains constant at very small magnitude upto break down voltage
Fig.10.12 (c) : p-n junction with reverse biasing
RECTIFIER
Junction diode (
Half wave rectifier
Fig. 10.13
During the first half (positive) of the input signal. Let
During the second half (negative) of the input signal,
Thus, corresponding to an alternating input signal, we get a unidirectional pulsating output.
Peak voltage (PIV)
In half wave rectifier
Full wave rectifier :
When the diode rectifies the whole of the
Fig. 10.14
During the positive half of the input signal :
Let
In this case diode
During the negative half of the input signal :
Now
It is clear that whether the input signal is positive or negative, the current always flows through the load resistance in the same direction and full wave rectification is obtained.
TRANSISTOR
Transistors are three terminal (solid state) devices just like triode. It can be assumed to consist of two back to back
Fig. 10.15
(a) Components of transistor :
Emitter (E) :
It supplies charge carriers (electron in
Collector (C) :
It is a region on other side of base. It has maximum area out of other sections (emitter and base) of transistor to dissipate the heat. It collects the charge carriers and it is always reverse biased.
Base (B) :
It is middle region which forms the two junctions between emitter and collector. It is very lightly doped.
The schematic symbols of transistor are :
Fig.10.16
(b) Biasing of Transistor :
In proper biasing of transistor the input (i.e., base emitter junction) is always forward biased and output (i.e., collector base junction) is always reverse biased as shown in figure. [This scheme of biasing is same for all three transistor configurations; common base configuration (C.B), common emitter configuration (C.B) and common collector configuration (C.C)]
(c) Working of Transistor :
Figure shows a common base configuration of
Equation. (1) holds true regardless of circuit configuration or transistor type (p-n-p or
Fig. 10.18
The value of
Since
Whereas
(d) Transistor Configuration :
There are three type of transistor configuration. We can take either terminal as input terminal and other terminal as output.
(i) Common Base Configuration (C.B) :
Here base terminal is common to both input and output terminals. The emitter terminal is taken as input.
Fig. 10.19
(ii) Common Emitter Configuration (C.E) :
Here emitter terminal is common to both input and output terminal as shown in. The base terminal is taken as input and collector is taken as output.

Fig. 10.20
(iii) Common Collector Configuration (C.C) :
Here the collector terminal is common to both input as well as output terminals as shown in figure. The base terminal is input & Emitter is output terminal.

Fig. 10.21
(e) Transistor as an Amplifier :
Amplification is the process of linearly increasing the amplitude of a signal and is one of the major properties of a transistor.
This amplification action was produced by transferring a current from a low (base emitter loop in forward biased and hence, provide low resistance path and collector base junction is reverse biased and hence gives high resistance path in common emitter configuration) to a high resistance circuit. The combination of two terms in italics results in label transits that is:
transfer + resistor
Common-Emitter Amplifier :
Figure. 10.22, shows a basic common-emitter
amplifier circuit in which we connect a signal source
voltage loop is
more electrons flow during +ive half-cycle and so we obtain more collector current and so large voltage drop across
In the absence of input signal

Fig. 10.22

The voltage from the collector to ground determines the output signal. When
The current gain
The voltage gain
The power gain is defined as,
Applications of transistors
Transistors can be used as an amplifier or an oscillator.
The process of increasing the amplitude of input signal without distorting its wave shape and without changing its frequency is known as amplification.
Oscillator is device which delivers a.c. output wave form of desired frequency from d.c. power even without input signal excitation.
CHECK POINT:
Why is a transistor so called?
Show Answer
SOLUTION:
The word Transistor can be treated as short form of two words ’transfer + resistor’. In a transistor, a signal is introduced in the low resistance circuit and output is taken across the high resistance circuit. Thus, a transistor helps to transfer the current from low resistance part to the high resistance part.
CHECK POINT:
The base region of a transistor is lightly doped. Explain why?
Show Answer
SOLUTION:
In a transistor, the majority carriers (holes or electrons) from emitter region move towards the collector region through base. I base is made thick and highly doped, then majority of carriers from emitter will combine with the carriers in the base and only small number of carriers will reach the collector. Thus the output or collector current will be considerably small. To get large output of collector current, base is made thin and lightly doped so that only few electron-hole combination may take place in the base region.
CHECK POINT:
Explain why the emitter is forward biased and the collector is reverse biased in a transistor?
Show Answer
SOLUTION:
In a transistor, the charge carriers move from emitter to collector. The emitter sends the charge carriers and collector collects them This can happen only if emitter is forward biased and the collector is reverse biased so that it may attract the carriers.
LAWS OF BOOLEAN ALGEBRA
Basic OR, AND, and NOT operations are given :
Boolean algebra obeys commutative, associative and distributive law as given below:
Commutative laws :
A + B = B + A
A.B = B.A
Associative laws :
A + (B + C) = (A + B) + C
A.(B.C) = (A.B).C
Distributive laws :
A.(B + C) = A.B +A.C
Some other useful identities :
(i) A + AB = A
(ii) A.(A + B) = A
(iii) A + (
(iv) A.(
(v) A + (B.C) = (A + B).(A + C)
(vi) (
De Morgan’s theorem :
First theorem :
Second theorem :
LOGIC GATES
A logic gate is a digital circuit which is based on certain logical relationship between the input and the output voltages of the circuit.
The logic gates are built using the semiconductor diodes and transistors.
Each logic gate is represented by its characteristic symbol.
The operation of a logic gate is indicated in a table, known as truth table. This table contains all possible combinations of inputs and the corresponding outputs.
A logic gate is also represented by a Boolean algebraic expression. Boolean algebra is a method of writing logical equations showing how an output depends upon the combination of inputs. Boolean algebra was invented by George Boole. There are three basic logic gates.
They are (i) AND gate (ii) OR gate (iii) NOT gate
AND Gate :
The output is high, when all inputs are high.
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Fig. 10.24
Boolean Expression: Y = A.B
OR gate :
Output is high even if one of the inputs is high.
Truth Table :
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Fig. 10.25
Boolean Expression : Y = A + B
NOT gate :
Output is not the input.
Truth Table :
A | Y |
---|---|
0 | 1 |
1 | 0 |
Fig. 10.26
Boolean Expression :
Other logic gates
The NAND gates :
The output is high, even if all inputs are low or one input is low.
Truth Table:
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 0 |
Fig. 10.27(a)
Boolean expression :
The NOR gate :
The output is high, when all inputs are low.
Truth Table:
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 0 |
Fig. 10.27(b)
Boolean expression :
Exclusive OR Gate :
The output of a two input Exclusive OR gate is at logical 1 if one and only one input accepts logical 0 (zero)

Fig. 10.28
Boolean expression : :
Truth Table
A | B | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | ||
0 | 1 | 1 | ||
1 | 0 | 1 | ||
1 | 1 | 0 |
NOTE: This circuit is also called inequality comparator or detector because it produces an output only when the two inputs are different.
NAND Gate is called the building block of all digital circuits.
MISCELLANEOUS
SOLVED EXAMPLES
1. In the binary number system 100 + 1011 is equal to
(a) 1000
(b) 1011
(c) 1110
(d) 1111
Show Answer
Solution.
= (0 + 0 + 4) + (1 + 2 + 0 + 8) =
or 0100 + 1011 = 1111
2. Identify the gate represented by the block diagram of Fig. Write the Boolean expression and truth table.
Fig. 10.29
Show Answer
Solution. Here for the input, the two NOR gates have been used as NOT gates (by joining the input terminals of NOR gate). Their outputs are jointly fed to the NOR gate. From the NOR gate I, for the input
Thus. Boolean expression for this combination of gate is
which is for AND gate. Thus, the combination will work as AND gate. The truth table of the combination of gates is shown in Fig.
A | B | Y | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
3. The combinations of the ‘NAND’ gates shown here in fig. 10.30 are equivalent to

Fig. 10.30
(a) an ‘OR’ gate and an ‘AND’ gate respectively
(b) an ‘AND’ gate and a ‘NOT’ gate respectively
(c) an ‘AND’ gate and an ’
(d) an ‘OR’ gate and a ‘NOT’ gate respectively
Show Answer
Solution. For first case,
The truth table is shown below
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
This is truth table for
For second case,

Fig. 10.31
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Show Answer
Solution. (c)Fig. 10.32
(a) NAND
(b)
(c) OR
(d) NOR
Show Answer
Solution. (b)

Fig. 10.33
This expression is for XOR

(a) XOR gate
(b) AND gate
(c) NAND gate
(d) OR gate
Show Answer
Solution. (b)

Fig. 10.35

Fig. 10.36
(a)
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 0 |
(b)
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 0 |
(c)
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
(d)
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Show Answer
Solution.

Fig. 10.37
Truth table of the given circuit is given by
A | B | Y' | Y |
---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
8. The real time variation of input signals

Fig. 10.38

Show Answer
Solution. (b) From input signals, we have,
A | B | Output NAND gate |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 0 |
0 | 0 | 1 |
The output signal is shown at
1 EXERCISE
Fill in the Blanks :
DIRECTIONS : Complete the following statements with an appropriate word / term to be filled in the blank space(s).
1. In a reverse biased
Show Answer
Answer: negative, positive2. A group of 8 bits is called a ………….
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Answer: byte3. The depletion region in a semiconductor diode is formed at the ………….
Show Answer
Answer: junction4. The process of introducing impurities in small quantities into intrinsic semiconductor is called ………….
Show Answer
Answer: doping5. The substances whose electrical conductivity lies between conductors and insulators are called ………….
Show Answer
Answer: semiconductors6. The conductivity of semiconductor is of the order of ………….
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Answer:7. The conductivity of semiconductor increases with …………. in temperature.
Show Answer
Answer: increase8. In semiconductors, electrical conduction is due to ………….
Show Answer
Answer: electrons and holes9. Semiconductors have …………. temperature coefficient of resistance.
Show Answer
Answer: negative10. The resistance of semiconductors decreases due to the addition of ………….
Show Answer
Answer: impurities11. A semiconductor in pure form is called ………….
Show Answer
Answer: intrinsic semiconductor12. If a p-type semiconductor is suitably joined to an n-type semiconductor, the junction is called
Show Answer
Answer: diodeTrue / False :
DIRECTIONS : Read the following statements and write your answer as true or false.
1. Addition of either trivalent or pentavalent impurities to an intrinsic semiconductor increases its conductivity.
Show Answer
Answer: True2. The electric current in an extrinsic semiconductor is the sum of currents due to holes and electrons.
Show Answer
Answer: True3. In conductors, the valence and conduction bands may overlap.
Show Answer
Answer: True4. Substances with energy gap of the order of
Show Answer
Answer: True5. The resistivity of a semiconductor increases with increase in temperature.
Show Answer
Answer: False6. The conductivity of a semiconductor increases with increase in temperature,
Show Answer
Answer: True7. Transistors require long warm ups than vacuum tubes.
Show Answer
Answer: False8. Vacuum tubes are more resistant in shocks and vibrations than transistors
Show Answer
Answer: False9. The base of a transistor is made very thin and highly doped.
Show Answer
Answer: False10. In a transistor, both the emitter and collector are equally doped.
Show Answer
Answer: FalseVery Short Answer Questions :
DIRECTIONS : Give answer in one word or one sentence.
1. What is an amplifier?
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Answer: A circuit which strengthens weak2. What is the effect of temperature on semiconductor?
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Answer: Conductivity increases with increase in temperature.3. What is a diode?
Show Answer
Answer: (i) A p-n junction.4. What is an extrinsic semiconductor?
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Answer: Impure semiconductor.5. What is doping?
Show Answer
Answer: Addition of impurities to a pure semiconductor.6. What is a hole?
Show Answer
Answer: Vacant site created in the VB when electrons jump from VB to CB.7. What is a p-n junction?
Show Answer
Answer: A junction between a8. What is rectifier?
Show Answer
Answer: A circuit which converts9. Write truth table for OR gate.
10. Write truth table for AND gate.
Long Answer Questions :
DIRECTIONS : Give answer in four to five sentences.
1. Explain the working of
Show Answer
Answer: Emitter base junction is forward biased and collector base junction is reverse biased.2. Explain with a neat circuit diagram the working of
Show Answer
Answer: Large output voltage drop across load resistor.3. Explain with a neat circuit diagram the action of semiconducting diode as a half wave rectifier.
Show Answer
Answer: Diode conducts when it is forward biased.4. What is logic gate? Explain the following gates.
5. What is a transistor? Explain its types.
Exercise 2
Multiple Choice Questions :
DIRECTIONS : This section contains multiple choice questions. Each question hus 4 choice (a), (b), (c) and (d) out of which ONLY ONE is correct.
1.
(a) the positive pole of the battery is joined to the
(b) the positive pole of the battery is joined to the
(c) the positive pole of the battery is connected to
(d) a mechanical force is applied in the forward direction
Show Answer
Answer: (a) For forward biasing of2. At absolute zero,
(a) non-metal
(c) insulator
(b) metal
(d) none of these
Show Answer
Answer: (c) Semiconductors are insulators at room temperature.3. When
(a) number of electrons increases while that of holes decreases
(b) number of holes increases while that of electrons decreases
(c) number of electrons and holes remain same
(d) number of electrons and holes increases equally.
Show Answer
Answer: (d) Due to heating, when a free electron is produced then simultaneously a hole is also produced.4. The following truth table corresponds to the logic gate
A | B | X |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
(a) NAND
(b)
(c) AND
(d) XOR
Show Answer
Answer: (b) This truth table is of identity,5. To use a transistor as an amplifier
(a) The emitter base junction is forward biased and the base collector junction is reverse biased
(b) no bias voltage is required
(c) both junctions are forward biased
(d) both junctions are reverse biased.
Show Answer
Answer: (a) To use a transistor as an amplifier the emitter base junction is forward biased while the collector base junction is reverse biased.6. For amplification by a triode, the signal to be amplified is given to
(a) the cathode
(b) the grid
(c) the glass-envelope
(d) the anode
Show Answer
Answer: (b) The amplifying action of a triode is based on the fact that a small change in grid voltage causes a large change in plate current. The7. The part of the transistor which is heavily doped to produce large number of majority carriers is
(a) emitter
(b) base
(c) collector
(d) any of the above depending upon the nature of transistor
Show Answer
Answer: (a) The function of emitter is to supply the majority carriers. So, it is heavily doped8. When a
(a) diffusion of charges
(b) drift of charges
(c) depends on the nature of material
(d) both drift and diffusion of charges
Show Answer
Answer: (b) When9. What is the value of
(a) 0
(b) 1
(c)
(d)
Show Answer
Answer: (b) When
10. Which of the following gates corresponds to the truth table given below?
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 1 | 1 |
0 | 0 | 1 |
(a) NAND
(b) OR
(c) AND
(d) XOR
Show Answer
Answer: (c) This truth table is of the identity,
11. In the diagram, the input is across the terminals

(a) zero
(b) same as the input
(c) full wave rectifier
(d) half-wave rectifier
Show Answer
Answer: (c) the given circuit is a circuit of full wave rectifier.12. Which of the following, when added as an impurity, into the silicon, produces
(a) Phosphorous
(b) Aluminium
(c) Magnesium
(d) Both b and c
Show Answer
Answer: (a) Phosphorous (P) is pentavalent and silicon is tetravalent. Therefore, when silicon is doped with pentavalent impurity, it forms a n-type semiconductor.13. When an
(a) the electrons flow from emitter to collector
(b) the holes flow from emitter to collector
(c) the electrons flow from collector to emitter
(d) the electrons flow from battery to emitter
Show Answer
Answer: (a) In an14. When arsenic is added as an impurity to silicon, the resulting material is
(a) n-type semiconductor
(b)
(c)
(d) insulator
Show Answer
Answer: (a) Arsenic contains 5 electrons in its outermost shell. When Arsenic is mixed with silicon there is one electron extra in silicon crystal. Hence, such type of semi conductor is15. To obtain a p-type germanium semiconductor, it must be doped with
(a) arsenic
(b) antimony
(c) indium
(d) phosphorus
Show Answer
Answer: (c) p-type germanium semiconductor is formed when it is doped with a trivalent impurity atom.16. The following truth table belongs to which of the following four gates?
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 0 |
0 | 0 | 1 |
(a) NOR
(b) XOR
(c) NAND
(d) OR
Show Answer
Answer: (a) The given truth table is of (OR gate + NOT gate)17. Which of the following gates will have an output of 1 ?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Show Answer
Answer: (d)
Following is NAND Gate
18. A gate has the following truth table.
1 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
The gate is
(a) AND
(b) NOR
(c) OR
(d) NAND
Show Answer
Answer: (a)19. Which gate is represented by the following truth table ?
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 0 |
(a) XOR
(b) NOT
(c) NAND
(d) AND
Show Answer
Answer: (c)
0 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 0 |
Which is truth table of NAND gate.
20. The intrinsic semiconductor becomes an insulator at
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Show Answer
Answer: (a) At21. In a
(a) The potential of the
(b) The
(c) The
(d) Both the
Show Answer
Answer: (b) For conduction,22. An
(a) both collector and emitter are negative with respect to the base
(b) both collector and emitter are positive with respect to the base
(c) collector is positive and emitter is negative with respect to the base
(d) collector is positive and emitter is at same potential as the base
Show Answer
Answer: (c) When the collector is positive and emitter is negative w.r.t. base, it causes the forward biasing for each junction. which causes conduction of current.23. Barrier potential of a
(a) doping density
(b) diode design
(c) temperature
(d) forward bias
Show Answer
Answer: (b) Barrier potential does not depends on diode design while barrier potential depends upon temperature, doping density, and forward biasing.24. Following diagram performs the logic function of

(a) XOR gate
(b) AND gate
(c) NAND gate
(d) OR gate
Show Answer
Answer: (b)
25. Reverse bias applied to a junction diode
(a) increases the minority carrier current
(b) lowers the potential barrier
(c) raises the potential barrier
(d) increases the majority carrier current
Show Answer
Answer: (c) In reverse biasing, the conduction across the26. In semiconductors, at room temperature
(a) the conduction band is completely empty
(b) the valence band is partially empty and the conduction band is partially filled
(c) the valence band is completely filled and the conduction band is partially filled
(d) the valence band is completely filled
Show Answer
Answer: (c) In semiconductros, the conduction is empty and the valence band is completely filled at27. The output of OR gate is 1
(a) if either input is zero
(b) if both inputs are zero
(c) if either or both inputs are 1
(d) only if both inputs are 1
Show Answer
Answer: (c) Output will be one if28. Application of a forward bias to a
(a) widens the depletion zone.
(b) increases the potential difference across the depletion zone.
(c) increases the number of donors on the
(d) increases the electric field in the depletion zone.
Show Answer
Answer: (c)
Number of donors is more because electrons from -ve terminal of the cell pushes (enters) the
29. Zener diode is used for
(a) Amplification
(b) Rectification
(c) Stabilisation
(d) Producing oscillations in an oscillator
Show Answer
Answer: (c) At a certain reverse bias voltage, zener diode allows current to flow through it and hence, maintains the voltage supplied to any load Herice it is used for stabilisation.30. When the temperature of a semiconductor is increased, its electrical conductivity
(a) increases
(b) decreases
(c) remains the same
(d) increases at first and then decreases
Show Answer
Answer: (a)31. A pice of copper and another of germanium are cooled from room temperature to
(a) each of them increases
(b) each of them decreases
(c) copper increases and germanium decreases
(d) copper decreases and germanium increases
Show Answer
Answer: (d)32. At absolute zero temperature, a crystal of pure germanium.
(a) behaves as perfect conductor
(b) behaves as perfect insulator
(c) contains no electron
(d) none of the above
Show Answer
Answer: (b)33. In an intrinsic semiconductor
(a) only electrons are responsible for flow of current
(b) both holes and electrons carry current
(c) both holes and electrons carry current with electrons being majority carriers
(d) only holes are responsible for flow of current
Show Answer
Answer: (b)34. A ordinary temperature, an increase in temperature increases the conductivity of
(a) conductor
(b) semiconductor
(c) insulator
(d) alloy
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Answer: (b)35. If the conductivity of a semiconductor is only due to break up of the covalent bonds due to thermal excitation, then the semiconductor is called
(a) intrinsic
(b) extrinsic
(c) donor
(d) acceptor
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Answer: (a)36. In a good conductor the number of electrons in the valence shell, in general, is
(a) less than 4
(b) more than 4
(c) equal to 4
(d) none of these
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Answer: (a)37. The mobility of conduction electrons is greater than that of holes, since electrons
(a) are lighter
(b) are negatively charged
(c) require smaller energy for moving through crystal lattice
(d) undergo smaller number of collisions
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Answer: (c)38. The majority of current carriers in an
(a) holes
(b) electrons
(c) negative ions
(d) positive ions
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Answer: (b)39. A hole in
(a) an excess electron
(b) a missing electron
(c) a missing atom
(d) a donor level
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Answer: (b) In a p-type semiconductor, a hole is a missing elec tron in a covalent bond.40. An
(a) negatively charged
(b) positively charged
(c) neutral
(d) negatively or positively charged depending upon the amount of impurity
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Answer: (c)41. A hole in a semiconductor
(a) has zero mass
(b) has mass equal to that of proton
(c) has mass equal to that of positron
(d) is a positively charged vacancy
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Answer: (d)42. The conductivity of a pure semiconductor can be increased by
(a) increasing temperature
(b) mixing trivalent impurity
(c) mixing pentavalent impurity
(d) all of the above
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Answer: (d)43. In p-type semiconductor the majority and minority charge carriers are respectively
(a) protons and electrons
(b) electrons and protons
(c) electrons and holes
(d) holes and electrons
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Answer: (d)44. When boron is added as an impurity to silicon, the resulting material is
(a) n-type semiconductor
(b) n-type conductor
(c)
(d)
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Answer: (d)45. The depletion layer in the
(a) drift of holes
(b) diffusion of charge carriers
(c) migration of impurity ions
(d) drift of electrons
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Answer: (b)46. The small currentsin reverse bias condition are due to :
(a) electrons
(b) majority charge carriers, i.e., electrons on n-side and holes on
(c) minority charge carriers, i.e., electrons on
(d) temperature
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Answer: (c)47. The doping of the base of a transistor is :
(a) equal to that of emitter or collector
(b) slightly more than that of emitter or collector
(c) less than that of emiiter or collector
(d) much more than that of emitter or collector
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Answer: (c)48. In the symbol of a transistor, the \to head points in the direction of flow of
(a) holes
(b) electrons
(c) majority carriers
(d) minority carriers
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Answer: (a)49. Transistors are essentially
(a) power driven devices
(b) current driven devices
(c) voltage driven devices
(d) resistance driven devices
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Answer: (b)50. In a transistor
(a) emitter is more highly doped than collector
(b) collector is more highly doped than emitter
(c) both are equally doped
(d) none of the above
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Answer: (a)51. In a transistor
(a) length of emitter is greater than that of collector
(b) length of collector is greater than that of emiter
(c) length of base is greater than that of emitter
(d) length of base is greater than that of collector
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Answer: (b)52. One way in which the operation of an
(a) the emitter junction is reverse biased in
(b) the emitter junction injects minority carriers into base region of the
(c) the emitter injects holes into the base of the
(d) the emitter injects holes into the base of
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Answer: (c)53.
(a) they have low cost
(b) they have low dissipation energy
(c) they are capable of handling large power
(d) electrons have high mobility than holes and hence high mobility of energy
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Answer: (d)Assertion & Reason :
DIRECTIONS : Each of these questions contains an Assertion followed by Reason. Read them carefully and answer the question on the basis of following options. You have to select the one that best describes the two statements.
(a) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) If both Assertion and Reason are correct, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) If Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
(d) If Assertion is incorrect but Reason is correct.
1. Assertion : NAND or NOR gates are called digital building blocks.
Reason : The repeated use of NAND (or NOR) gates can produce all the basis or complicated gates.
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Answer: (b) These gates are called digital building blocks because using these gates only (either NAND or NOR) we can compile all other gates also (like OR, AND, NOT, XOR)2. Assertion : When two semi conductor of
Reason : A rectifier is used to convent alternating current into direct current.
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Answer: (c) Study of junction diode characteristics shows that the junction diode offers a low resistance path, when forward biased and high resistance path when reverse biased. This feature of the junction diode enables it to be used as a rectifier3. Assertion : NOT gate is also called invertor circuit.
Reason : NOT gate inverts the input order.
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Answer: (b) A NOT gate puts the input condition in the opposite order, means for high input it give low output and for low input it give high output. For this reason NOT gate is known as invertor circuit.4. Assertion : In common base configuration, the current gain of the transistor is less than unity.
Reason : The collector terminal is reverse biased for amplification.
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Answer: (c) Assertion is true but reason is false.
The common base configuration of
Assertion is true.
the collector is reverse biased for voltage amplification. The reason given has not mentioned that it is voltage amplification. The reason is therefore, incomplete by itself. It is wrong.
5. Assertion : A p-n junction with reverse bias can be used as a photo-diode to measure light intensity.
Reason : In a reverse bias condition the current is small but is more sensitive to changes in incident light intensity.
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Answer: (a)HOTS Subjective Questions :
DIRECTIONS : Answer the following questions.
1. Frequency of input voltage of a half-wave rectfier is
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Answer:2. How is a sample of
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Answer: An
But each atom of the semiconductor as a whole is electrically neutral, the
3. Using a suitable combination from a NOR, an OR and a NOT gate, draw circuits to obtain the truth table given below:
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 0 |
(i)
A | B | Y |
---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 1 |
0 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
(ii)
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Answer: (i) Circuit diagram for truth table (i)
0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
(ii) Circuit diagram for truth table (ii)
0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
4. Give reasons :
(i) Why common emitter circuit is used for making an oscillator.
(ii) Why common emitter amplifier is preferred over common base amplifier.
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Answer: (i) For positive feedback
(ii) More gain (current, voltage and power)
5. The output of two NOT gates is made input for NOR gate. Name the new logic gate obtained and write down its truth table.

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Answer:
Hence, AND gate is formed.
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
6. Two identical p-n junctions may be connected in series with a battery in three different ways as shown in the circuit diagrams. In which circuit diagrm will the potential drop across the p-n junctions be equal?
7. What is the resistance offered by the following circuit if the current flows from
(1)
(2)
Assume the diodes to be ideal.
What is the

8. In the following circuit diagram, if the diode is ideal, what are the values recorded by the ammeter and the voltmeter?

9. What is the resistance offered by the following circuit if current flows from
(1)
(Assume diode to be an ideal diode)

10. An AC voltage is applied to the diode, as shown in the figure below. Draw the graph of output voltage versue time. Explain the action of the diode.

Is the output voltage across
11. In the following circuit, explain the flow of current through resistor