Of the diodes shown in the following diagrams, which one of the diode is reverse biased ?

Of the diodes shown in the following diagrams, which one of the diode is reverse biased ?
A -
B -
C -
D -

Detailed Solution

Let $V_1$ be the potential of the p-side (anode, the triangle of the diode symbol) and $V_2$ the potential of the n-side (cathode, the bar).
The diode is forward biased if $V_1 \gt V_2$, and reverse biased if $V_2 \gt V_1$.
Circuit (1): anode at 0 V (ground), cathode connected to $-10$ V. $V_1 = 0 \gt V_2 = -10$ V, so it is forward biased.
Circuit (2): anode at 0 V (ground), cathode connected to $+5$ V. $V_2 = +5$ V $\gt V_1 = 0$, so it is reverse biased.
Circuit (3): cathode at $+5$ V, anode connected to $+10$ V. $V_1 = 10$ V $\gt V_2 = 5$ V, so it is forward biased.
Circuit (4): cathode at $-12$ V, anode connected to $-5$ V. $V_1 = -5$ V $\gt V_2 = -12$ V, so it is forward biased.
So the diode in circuit (2) is the reverse biased one.

Biasing of p-n Junction Diode in past papers

2 questions from this chapter have appeared across 2 exam years.

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Practise Biasing of p-n Junction Diode All 2 questions This chapter in 2004 AIPMT