W/S Flashcards

1
Q

A semiconductor atom, such as silicon, contains how many valence electrons?

A

four

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2
Q

What is the name given to semiconductor materials that are doped with trivalent impurity atoms?

A

P-type

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3
Q

What is the name given to semiconductor materials that are doped with pentavalent impurity atoms?

A

N-type

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4
Q

Semiconductor materials exhibit a “negative temperature coefficient of resistance” . What does this mean?

A

as temp increases, resistance decreases

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5
Q

What is the typical voltage drop expected across a silicon diode that is conducting in the forward direction?

A

0.7v

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6
Q

What does the term “PIV” mean?

A

“Peak inverse voltage” The max reverse biased voltage the diode can block

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7
Q

In order to conduct, the polarity of the cathode must be ____________ with respect to the anode

A

negative

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8
Q

When using an ohmmeter for testing a diode, what indication would you expect if the diode is?

a) shorted?
b) open?
c) good?

A

a) low in both directions
b) high in both directions
c) low in forward bias and high in reverse bias

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9
Q

When pure silicon is doors with trivalent material, a ______-type material is produced with an excess of ________?

A

P- type

holes

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10
Q

When pure silicon is doped with a pentavalent material, a ______-type material is produced with an excess of _________?

A

N- type , electrons

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11
Q

What is meant when silicon has a negative temperature coefficient?

A

as temp rises, resistance goes down

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12
Q

forward voltage drop for a silicon diode?

A

0.7v

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13
Q

Forward voltage drop for a germanium diode?

A

0.3v

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14
Q

When reverse biased, does a silicon diode act as a conductor or as an open?

A

open

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15
Q

When using a digital multimeter diode checker, what value does the meter read if the diode is good? (approx)

A

600mV

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16
Q

When installing a freewheeling diode, how should the diode be installed?

A

reverse bias to load

17
Q

What is the process called that mixes pure silicon and an impurity?

A

doping

18
Q

What determines whether a material is a conductor or a semiconductor?

A

number of valence electrons

19
Q

Why is silicon used more as a semiconductor than germanium?

A

withstands higher temp

20
Q

What is the name of the device that sheds heat around a semiconductor?

A

heat sink

21
Q

What is meant by the term “forward bias”?

A

anode is positive with respect to cathode

22
Q

what is meant by the term “reverse bias”?

A

anode is negative with respect to the cathode

23
Q

what are two leads of a diode called?

A

anode and cathode

24
Q

what is a “free-wheeling diode”?

A

In parallel with the winding and used as circuit protection

25
Q

How do we reverse bias a diode?

A

reverse polarities

26
Q

Increasing the amount of light falling on a photodiode will___________ the current going through it?

A

increase

27
Q

In order for a zener diode to act as a voltage regulator it must be in __________ with the load and ________ biased?

A

series

reverse

28
Q

To forward bias a diode we want the _______ to be more positive than the _________?

A

anode

cathode

29
Q

What is the purpose of a field discharge diode?

A

prevent arcing

30
Q

barrier potential for a germanium diode?

A

.3v

31
Q

typical range of forward current rating for rectifier diodes?

A

1-1000

32
Q

using an ohmmeter to check a diode, with the leads hooked up in either polarity, an infinite reading was observed. What is wrong with the diode?

A

It’s open

33
Q

Gallium is often used as an impurity for doping purposes for the ___________anode/cathode of a diode?

A

anode

34
Q

the majority current carries in a semiconductor substrate doped with arsenic are ___________ electrons/holes?

A

electrons

35
Q

In order for a rectifier diode to conduct, the PN junction must be ______ biased?

A

forward