Question: Which statement best explains the temperature dependence of the currentvoltage characteristics that the graph shows? At higher temperatures: (a) The band gap is larger, so

Which statement best explains the temperature dependence of the current€“voltage characteristics that the graph shows? At higher temperatures:

(a) The band gap is larger, so the electron hole pairs have more energy, which causes the current at a given voltage to be larger.

(b) More electrons can move to the conduction band, which causes the current at a given voltage to be larger.

(c) All of the electrons in the valence band move to the conduction band, and the diode behaves like a metal and follows Ohm€™s law.

(d) The acceptor and donor impurity atoms are free to move through the material, which causes the current at a given voltage to be larger.


The current€“voltage characteristics of a forwardbiased p-n junction diode depend strongly on temperature, as shown in the figure. As a result, diodes can be used as temperature sensors. In actual operation, the voltage is adjusted to keep the current through the diode constant at a specified value, such as 100 mA, and the temperature is determined from a measurement of the voltage at that current.

0.15 0.10 0.05 T = 150° C T = 25° C 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Voltage (V) Current (A)

0.15 0.10 0.05 T = 150 C T = 25 C 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Voltage (V) Current (A)

Step by Step Solution

3.31 Rating (166 Votes )

There are 3 Steps involved in it

1 Expert Approved Answer
Step: 1 Unlock

IDENTIFY and SET UP As the temperature increases the electrons gain energy EXECUT... View full answer

blur-text-image
Question Has Been Solved by an Expert!

Get step-by-step solutions from verified subject matter experts

Step: 2 Unlock
Step: 3 Unlock

Students Have Also Explored These Related University Physics Questions!