An experiment is performed to determine the I - V characteristics of a Zener diode, which has a protective resistance of R = 100 Ω, and a maximum power of dissipation rating of 1 W. The minimum voltage range of the DC source in the circuit is: (a) 0 - 5 V (b) 0 - 8 V (c) 0 - 12 V (d) 0 - 24 V

Answer: (d). To trace the full reverse characteristic, the source must exceed VZ plus the drop IR at the largest safe current. A 1 W Zener used with R = 100 Ω typically allows Imax ≈ √(P/R) = √(1/100) = 0.1 A, so IR ≈ 10 V. For P = VZ Imax = 1 W, VZ ≈ 10 V, so the source must reach about VZ + IR ≈ 20 V. Only 0 – 24 V covers this, so the answer is (d).

An experiment is performed to determine the I - V characteristics of… | JEE Main 2016 (9 Apr, Shift 1)

Q86JEE Main 2016 · 9 APR · SHIFT 1Medium

Special Purpose Diodes

An experiment is performed to determine the I - V characteristics of a Zener diode, which has a protective resistance of R = 100 $\Omega$ , and a maximum power of dissipation rating of 1 W. The minimum voltage range of the DC source in the circuit is:

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Answer: (d)

To trace the full reverse characteristic, the source must exceed $V_Z$ plus the drop $IR$ at the largest safe current.
A $1$ W Zener used with $R = 100\ \Omega$ typically allows $I_{max} \approx \sqrt{P/R} = \sqrt{1/100} = 0.1$ A, so $IR \approx 10$ V.
For $P = V_Z I_{max} = 1$ W, $V_Z \approx 10$ V, so the source must reach about $V_Z + IR \approx 20$ V.
Only $0$ – $24$ V covers this, so the answer is (d).

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