Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Physics

Chapter

Semiconductors and Electronic Devices

Question:

What is the dominant mechanism for motion of charge carriers in forward and reverse biased silicon p-n junction diode respectively?

Options:

drift, diffusion

diffusion, drift

diffusion, diffusion

drift, drift

Correct Answer:

diffusion, drift

Explanation:

When a diode is forward biased, the barrier potential decreases and eventually becomes zero whereas in reverse biased the barrier potential keeps on increasing which restricts the flow of majority charge carriers. Hence, the dominant mechanism is diffusion in forward bias and drift in reverse bias.