EEE325 Tutorial QUESTIONs

Define and differentiate between conductors, insulators, and semiconductors in terms of their
energy band structures and electrical properties. Provide one practical example for each type of
material.

Explain why semiconductors are used in electronic devices like transistors and diodes. How does
doping affect their conductivity

Using the analogy of floors in a building, explain the movement of electrons in conductors,
insulators, and semiconductors. What is the role of the band gap in each material type?

Explain the energy band structure of semiconductors. How does the small energy gap (~1 eV)
affect their electrical conductivity? Provide an example of a semiconductor and its application.
What is the role of doping in semiconductors? Explain the difference between N-type and P-type
semiconductors.
Describe how temperature affects the conductivity of semiconductors. How does this behavior
differ at low and high temperatures?
What is the difference between the valence band and the conduction band in a material?
What is the "forbidden gap" (band gap) in a material, and how does its size affect the material's
conductivity?
Explain why silicon is more commonly used than germanium in modern electronic devices.

Define intrinsic semiconductors and explain the process of conduction in these materials. How
does temperature affect the number of free charge carriers?

What are conduction electrons and holes in semiconductors, and how do they contribute to
current flow in an intrinsic semiconductor

What is the role of doping in creating extrinsic semiconductors, and how does it affect their
conductivity?

What is the role of holes in the conduction of current in intrinsic semiconductors?

Explain how the temperature affects the conductivity of intrinsic semiconductors

How does doping improve the conductivity of semiconductors, and what are the types of doped
semiconductors?

Explain the difference between conductors, insulators, and semiconductors based on the band
theory of solids
How does current flow in a pure (intrinsic) semiconductor like silicon?

How does the temperature affect the carrier density in an intrinsic semiconductor?

What is the role of doping in semiconductors, and how does it affect their conductivity

What is doping, and why is it important for the conductivity of semiconductors?

What is the role of holes in current conduction in semiconductors

Compare the properties of intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors

What is doping in semiconductors, and why is it important for improving their conductivity

Describe how an N-type semiconductor is formed and explain the role of the added impurity

Compare the majority and minority charge carriers in N-type and P-type semiconductors

What is the function of the donor energy level in N-type semiconductors, and why is it
significant?

How do N-type semiconductors contribute to the functioning of devices like diodes and
transistors?

Explain the Hall Effect and describe the process that occurs when a current-carrying conductor is
placed in a magnetic field

Using the equation for the balance of forces in the Hall Effect, explain how the Hall voltage can
be used to calculate the carrier concentration in a material.

Compare n-type and p-type semiconductors, highlighting their differences in terms of dopants,
majority and minority carriers, and conduction mechanism.

Explain the process of hole creation in a p-type semiconductor when gallium (Ga) is added to a
germanium (Ge) crystal

What are the majority and minority carriers in a p-type semiconductor, and how are they
involved in the conduction of electricity

What are the majority and minority carriers in a p-type semiconductor, and how are they
involved in the conduction of electricity

What is the law of electrical neutrality in semiconductors, and how is it satisfied in a p-type
semiconductor?
How does the movement of holes contribute to the electrical conduction in a p-type
semiconductor?

How does the temperature affect the conductivity of semiconductors? Explain the changes that
occur at absolute zero and at higher temperatures

Explain what a hole is in semiconductors and how hole current is formed.

Describe the process of forming a PN junction in semiconductors

Explain the difference between forward biasing and reverse biasing of a PN junction.

Describe how current flows in a forward-biased PN junction.

Explain the behavior of a PN junction under zero external voltage. What is the current flowing
through the junction and why?

Describe the current-voltage behavior of a PN junction under forward bias. What happens when
the applied voltage exceeds the barrier potential?

What happens to the current in a PN junction when reverse bias is applied? Explain the role of
minority carriers in this condition.

What is the breakdown voltage in a PN junction under reverse bias, and how does it lead to a
sudden increase in current?

Define the breakdown voltage of a PN junction and explain what happens when this voltage is
exceeded. Provide an example to illustrate this concept

What is knee voltage in a PN junction? How does it affect current flow through the junction?
Provide the knee voltage for silicon and germanium diodes

Explain the concept of maximum forward current in a PN junction and the consequences of
exceeding this limit. Provide a practical example

Describe the process of forming a PN junction. Include details on the diffusion process, depletion
layer formation, and the built-in potential barrier

What is the role of the depletion region in a PN junction, and how is it formed

Explain how the barrier potential in a PN junction is created and its significance.

Describe the steps involved in the formation of the depletion region in a PN junction.

What factors influence the value of the barrier potential in a PN junction, and what is its typical
value for silicon and germanium?
Describe the process of depletion region formation in a PN junction.

What is the significance of the barrier potential in a PN junction?

Explain the energy diagram of a PN junction before and after equilibrium

What is the role of the depletion layer in a PN junction, and how does its width change with
doping concentration

Explain the role of the depletion region and its potential barrier in the operation of a diode.

Describe the changes that occur in the depletion region of a PN junction under reverse bias

What is the effect of reverse bias voltage on the width of the depletion region in a PN junction?

Explain the behavior of electrons in metals and how this affects electrical conductivity. Include
an explanation of the factors that cause scattering in the metallic lattice and how these factors
influence the resistance of the material.

Describe the three main types of electron emissions in materials. Provide a brief explanation for
each type with an example of its application.

Explain the concept of a forward-biased diode. How does current flow in a forward-biased PN-
junction, and what are some common applications of forward-biased diodes

What are photodiodes, and how do they work? Discuss their applications in optical
communications and solar energy conversion

Explain the working principle of a phototransistor. How does light exposure affect its operation?

Describe the differences between a light-activated relay and a dark-activated relay in terms of
phototransistor application.

How does a phototransistor function in a tachometer, and what is its role in measuring rotational
speed?
Explain the concept of forward biasing in a P-N junction diode and describe its effect on current
flow.
Define Monolithic Integrated Circuits (ICs) and describe two advantages of using this
technology in electronics

Explain the working principle of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and describe the role of the P-N
junction in this process.

Describe how a photodiode works to convert light into electrical current. What is the role of the
depletion region?
Explain why copper and aluminum are commonly used in electrical wiring. Mention one
advantage and one disadvantage of each material.

Explain the difference between Zener breakdown and avalanche breakdown in diodes. Mention
one practical application of each.

Differentiate between a half-wave rectifier and a full-wave rectifier in terms of their working
principles and efficiency. Provide a basic circuit for each

Describe the working principle of a photodiode and mention two of its applications

Differentiate between Zener breakdown and Avalanche breakdown in junction diodes based on
their operating conditions and applications.

List and explain three properties that an ideal cathode material should possess for efficient
electron emission.

Describe the working principle of a full-wave rectifier and its advantages over a half-wave
rectifier.

What are free electrons, and how do they contribute to the working of an electric current in a
metal wire? Provide a real-life example

What is a static electric field? Describe how a balloon rubbed on hair demonstrates the concept
of a static electric field.

Define Electric Potential and explain how it is related to the concept of work done.

Explain how an electromagnet works. List the materials needed to build one and the steps
involved

Describe two practical applications of electromagnets and explain their working principles

What are the three main particles that make up an atom? Describe their charges and locations
within the atom

What is the atomic number (Z), and why is it significant? Provide an example using the element
carbon.

Explain how energy levels are quantized in Bohr's Atomic Model. Provide an example of how
electrons transition between energy levels.

What is ionization energy? Describe its significance in chemical bonding and electrical
conductivity with an example.
Explain why hydrogen atoms emit light at specific wavelengths. Include a description of electron
transitions and how the energy difference relates to the wavelength of light.

Describe how Bohr's model explains the emission or absorption of energy in an atom. Write the
formula relating energy difference and photon frequency, and explain each term.

List two major successes of Bohr's atomic model. Provide a practical example to illustrate one of
these successes.