Three identical diodes D₁, D₂ and D₃ are placed in branches across a 5 V battery as shown. D₁ is forward biased, D₃ reverse biased, and the D₂ branch is open-circuited. If depletion widths are W₁, W₂, W₃, compare them. Image
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Question

Three identical diodes D₁, D₂ and D₃ are placed in branches across a 5 V battery as shown. D₁ is forward biased, D₃ reverse biased, and the D₂ branch is open-circuited. If depletion widths are W₁, W₂, W₃, compare them. Image

Options

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Under forward bias (D₁), the junction potential barrier decreases and majority carriers cross more readily; the depletion layer becomes thinner. Step 2: D₂'s branch is open, so D₂ has no externally applied forward or reverse bias; its depletion width is near the equilibrium width. Step 3: D₃ is reverse biased; the externally applied field widens the depletion region. Step 4: Therefore W_forward < W_unbiased < W_reverse, or W₁ < W₂ < W₃. Final answer: W₃ > W₂ > W₁ (Option C).