What is the voltage drop across a diode constructed out of Silicon when forward biased?

What is the voltage drop across a diode constructed out of Silicon when forward biased?

• A. 0.1V
• B. 0.3V
• C. 0.5V
• D. 0.7V

Answer: (D)

When a silicon diode is forward biased, it exhibits a characteristic voltage drop across its terminals, typically around 0.7 volts. This value emerges from the physical properties of silicon as a semiconductor material. The forward voltage drop occurs because, during forward bias, the junction barrier that exists at the p-n junction needs to be overcome. For silicon, this barrier potential causes the electrons and holes to recombine across the junction, allowing current to flow. The specific value of approximately 0.7 volts is standard for silicon diodes due to their atomic structure and the energy levels required for charge carriers to move across the junction. This voltage drop can vary slightly based on factors such as temperature and the specific manufacturing process of the diode, but around 0.7 volts is widely accepted as the benchmark for silicon diodes. In contrast, other options such as 0.1V, 0.3V, and 0.5V do not accurately reflect the typical forward voltage drop of a silicon diode; they are much lower than the expected value and do not represent the behavior of silicon semiconductors under normal operating conditions.

When a silicon diode is forward biased, it exhibits a characteristic voltage drop across its terminals, typically around 0.7 volts. This value emerges from the physical properties of silicon as a semiconductor material.

The forward voltage drop occurs because, during forward bias, the junction barrier that exists at the p-n junction needs to be overcome. For silicon, this barrier potential causes the electrons and holes to recombine across the junction, allowing current to flow.

The specific value of approximately 0.7 volts is standard for silicon diodes due to their atomic structure and the energy levels required for charge carriers to move across the junction. This voltage drop can vary slightly based on factors such as temperature and the specific manufacturing process of the diode, but around 0.7 volts is widely accepted as the benchmark for silicon diodes.

In contrast, other options such as 0.1V, 0.3V, and 0.5V do not accurately reflect the typical forward voltage drop of a silicon diode; they are much lower than the expected value and do not represent the behavior of silicon semiconductors under normal operating conditions.