Semiconductor Physics - NEET Physics Questions
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Semiconductor Physics

Question 71: easy

Assertion (A): The drift current in a p-n junction is from n-side to p-side.


Reason (R): The diffusion current in a p-n junction is from p-side to n-side.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

In a p-n junction, the built-in electric field points from the n-side to the p-side, causing drift current to flow from n-side to p-side. Thus, Assertion (A) is true. Due to concentration gradients, diffusion current arises from the movement of majority carriers, resulting in a net diffusion current from p-side to n-side. Thus, Reason (R) is also true.


These are two distinct current mechanisms, and R does not explain A.

Question 72: easy

Assertion (A): P-type semiconductor has high density of holes in valence band while N-type semiconductor has high density of electrons in conduction band.


Reason (R): In N-type semiconductor, as the density of donor atoms (N_D) is increased, the fermi energy level shifts towards the valence band.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

P-type semiconductors have a high concentration of holes in the valence band, and N-type semiconductors have a high concentration of electrons in the conduction band. Thus, Assertion (A) is true.


In an N-type semiconductor, increasing the donor atom density (N_D) increases the electron concentration, causing the Fermi energy level to shift closer to the conduction band, not the valence band. Hence, Reason (R) is false.

Question 73: easy

Assertion (A): Generally npn transistors are widely used.


Reason (R): In npn transistor the mobility of majority charge carriers is more.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

NPN transistors are widely preferred because their majority charge carriers, electrons, have significantly higher mobility than holes. Higher electron mobility allows for faster switching speeds and better high-frequency performance, making NPN transistors generally more efficient and widely used. Therefore, Assertion (A) is true, Reason (R) is true, and R is the correct explanation for A.

Question 74: easy

Assertion (A): The temperature coefficient of resistance is positive for metals and negative for semiconductors.


Reason (R): On raising the temperature, in metals drift velocity increases but in semiconductors more charge carriers are released.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Concept: Temperature dependence of resistance.
Metals have a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, while semiconductors have a negative one, so (A) is true. In metals, drift velocity *decreases* with increasing temperature due to increased scattering. In semiconductors, carrier concentration increases, so (R) is false.

Question 75: easy

Assertion (A): The temperature coefficient of resistance is positive for p-type semiconductors and negative for n-type semiconductors.


Reason (R): The effective charge carriers in p-type semiconductors are electrons and in n-type semiconductors are holes.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

All semiconductors (p-type or n-type) have a negative temperature coefficient of resistance, so (A) is false. In p-type semiconductors, majority carriers are holes, and in n-type, they are electrons. Reason (R) swaps these, so it is also false. Thus, both (A) and (R) are false.

Question 76: easy

Assertion (A): Light emitting diode (LED) emits self radiation.


Reason (R): LED are reverse biased p-n junctions.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Concept: LED operation.
LEDs are \(p-n\) junctions that emit light when forward biased due to electron-hole recombination. Reverse biasing does not cause light emission. Thus, Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

Question 77: easy

Assertion (A): Conductivity of intrinsic semiconductor is less as compared to extrinsic semiconductor.


Reason (R): With increase in temperature conductivity of semiconductor increases.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Concept: Semiconductor conductivity.
Intrinsic semiconductors have fewer free charge carriers than extrinsic (doped) semiconductors, so (A) is true. Increasing temperature generates more carriers in semiconductors, increasing conductivity, so (R) is true. However, (R) describes temperature dependence, not the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic. Thus, (R) is not the correct explanation for (A).

Question 78: easy

Assertion (A): Avalanche breakdown dominates when the doping concentration is high and depletion layer is thin.


Reason (R): Zener breakdown occurs due to the collision of minority charge carrier.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Concept: \(p-n\) junction breakdown.
Avalanche breakdown occurs in lightly doped junctions with wider depletion regions. Zener breakdown occurs in heavily doped junctions due to quantum tunneling, not minority carrier collisions. Thus, both (A) and (R) are false.

Question 79: easy

Assertion (A): Semiconductors do not obey Ohm’s law.


Reason (R): Electric current is determined by the rate of flow of charge carriers.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Concept: Ohm's Law and current definition.
Semiconductors are non-ohmic devices, so (A) is true. Electric current is indeed the rate of flow of charge, \(I = \frac{dQ}{dt}\), so (R) is true. However, (R) is a definition of current and does not explain why semiconductors are non-ohmic. Thus, (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Question 80: easy

Assertion (A): The probability of electrons to be found in the conduction band of an intrinsic semiconductor at a finite temperature decreases exponentially with increasing band gap.


Reason (R): It is more difficult for the electrons to jump to the conduction band from the valence band if the band gap between them is large.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Assertion (A) is true: The probability of finding electrons in the conduction band is proportional to \(e^{-E_g / (2kT)}\), decreasing exponentially with band gap \(E_g\).


Reason (R) is true: A larger band gap means more energy is required for electrons to jump. Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A).