Question:medium

A diode is connected in parallel with a resistance as shown in Figure. The most probable current (\( I \)) - voltage (\( V \)) characteristic is:

Show Hint

When analyzing a diode in a circuit, remember that the diode has a non-linear \( I-V \) characteristic, which results in rapid current increases once the voltage exceeds the threshold.
Updated On: Nov 28, 2025
  • A graph with a smooth curve rising steeply for positive voltage
  • A straight line with a slope for positive voltage
  • A graph showing a small hump before a steep rise for positive voltage
  • A sharply increasing graph after a certain voltage threshold
Hide Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Diode Behavior
- Diodes exhibit a non-linear \( I-V \) characteristic. - Reverse bias (negative voltage) results in near-zero current until breakdown. - Forward bias (positive voltage) causes current to rapidly increase after the threshold voltage (approximately 0.7 V for silicon diodes).
Step 2: Parallel Diode-Resistor Circuit
In a parallel circuit with a resistor and a diode, both components affect the current-voltage behavior:
1. The resistor provides a linear current increase with voltage. 2. The diode shows a non-linear characteristic: initially small current, then a rapid increase after the forward voltage threshold. Step 3: Graph Analysis
- Option (A): A steeply rising curve for positive voltage resembles a diode, but may be too idealized for a parallel resistor. - Option (B): A straight line is incorrect due to the diode's non-linear \( I-V \) characteristic. - Option (C): A graph with a small hump implies a more complex interaction, less common in a simple parallel diode-resistor circuit. - Option (D): A sharply increasing graph after a voltage threshold is the most probable diode behavior. Step 4: Conclusion
The most likely current-voltage characteristic for a parallel diode-resistor circuit starts with small current and sharply increases after a voltage threshold.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
\[\n\boxed{(D)}\n\]
Was this answer helpful?
0