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Question

The I-V characteristics of the zener diodes D1 and D2 are shown in Figure I. These diodes are used in the circuit given in Figure II. If the supply voltage is varied from $0$ to $100 \ \text{V}$, then breakdown occurs in

The correct answer is
D1 only

To solve this problem, we need to analyze the I-V characteristics of the zener diodes D1 and D2 shown in Figure I, and how they are used in the circuit shown in Figure II. The key point is to determine under which conditions each zener diode will enter breakdown when the supply voltage varies from 0 to 100 V.

The I-V characteristics in Figure I indicate the breakdown voltages of D1 and D2 as -80 V and -70 V respectively. In the circuit of Figure II, these zener diodes are connected in series with opposite polarities, and a variable supply voltage (V) is applied across them.

  1. The diode D1 has a breakdown voltage of \(-80 \ \text{V}\). It will enter the breakdown region when the reverse voltage across it exceeds 80 V.
  2. Similarly, diode D2 has a breakdown voltage of \(-70 \ \text{V}\). It will enter the breakdown region when the reverse voltage across it exceeds 70 V.
  3. When the supply voltage (V) reaches 80 V, diode D1 will experience the necessary reverse voltage to break down, as it is connected in reverse bias.
  4. For D2 to break down, the supply voltage needs to exceed 70 V. However, since D1 has a higher threshold of 80 V, it will conduct first when the supply voltage is between 70 V and 80 V.
  5. Once D1 is in breakdown at 80 V, it will maintain a constant reverse voltage across itself, preventing the further increase in voltage across D2.
  6. Thus, D2 will not reach its breakdown voltage because D1 has already started conducting.

Therefore, only D1 undergoes breakdown when the supply voltage varies from 0 to 100 V. This explains why the correct answer is D1 only.

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Important Questions from Zener Diodes

  1. A Zener diode is used as ________.
  2. The value of zener current is  

  3. Zener diodes are used as _______.

  4. As shown in the circuit, the initial voltage across the capacitor is 10 V, with the switch being open. The switch is then closed at $t = 0$. The total energy dissipated in the ideal Zener diode ($V_Z = 5$ V) after the switch is closed (in mJ, rounded off to three decimal places) is _____________.

  5. Which of the following diode is very suitable for switching high frequency signals ON and OFF?
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