VELAMMAL VIDYALAYA,ALAPAKKAM

PREVIOUS YEAR BOARD QUESTIONS – PHYSICS

MAGNETISM AND MATTER

1. Write any two points of difference between the properties of diamagnetic and paramagnetic
substances.
2. A rectangular loop carrying a steady current I is placed in a uniform magnetic field . Prove that the
torque acting on the loop is given by m ⃗⃗⃗ x ⃗B, where 𝑚
⃗⃗ is the magnetic moment of the loop.
3. Assertion (A) : The potential energy of a magnetic dipole in a uniform magnetic field is maximum
when its magnetic moment and the magnetic field are antiparallel to each other.
Reason (R) : A current loop behaves as a magnetic dipole.
4. A bar magnet of pole strength (m) and magnetic moment (M) is cut perpendicular to its axis in two
equal halves. The new pole strength (m’ ) and magnetic moment (M’ ) of each part are ?
5. Two identical bars, one of a paramagnetic material and another of a diamagnetic material are kept in
a uniform magnetic field. Show diagrammatically the modifications in the pattern of magnetic field in
each case. How are the two materials affected by increase in temperature ?
6. A small bar, when placed near a magnet is repelled by it. This is because the bar is made of ?
7. Two identical bars, one of a paramagnetic material and another of a diamagnetic material are kept in
a uniform magnetic field. Show diagrammatically the modifications in the pattern of magnetic field in
each case. How are the two materials affected by increase in temperature ?
8. Assertion (A) : When a bar of copper is placed in an external magnetic field, the field lines get
concentrated inside the bar.
Reason (R) : Copper is a paramagnetic substance.
9. The magnetic dipole moment of a current carrying coil does not depend upon :
(A) number of turns of the coil.
(B) cross-sectional area of the coil.
(C) current flowing in the coil.
(D) material of the turns of the coil.
 VELAMMAL VIDYALAYA,ALAPAKKAM
PREVIOUS YEAR BOARD QUESTIONS – PHYSICS

EMW

1. Name the types of electromagnetic radiations which (i) are used in destroying cancer cells and (ii)
maintain earth’s warmth. Also write their frequency range.
2. Describe briefly how an oscillating charge can produce an electromagnetic wave propagating
through space.
3. Show, using the example of a capacitor while it is being charged by a battery, how the equation for
Ampere’s circuital law needs to be modified in the presence of displacement current.
4. The speed of electromagnetic waves in vacuum in terms of permeability and permittivity.
5. (a) Identify the part of electromagnetic spectrum which is :
(i) suitable for radar systems.
(ii) Sometimes referred as heat waves.
Write their wavelength range.
6. Write two characteristics of electromagnetic waves.
Name the radiation used to kill germs in water purifiers.
Write the range of their frequency.
7. (a) The electric field of an electromagnetic wave passing through vacuum is represented as
Ex = E0 sin (kz - ωt). Identify the parameter which is related to the (i) wavelength, and (ii) the
frequency of the wave in the above equation.
(b) Write two properties of a medium that determine the velocity of light in that medium.
8. Which of the following physical quantities remain the same for X-ray, red light and radio waves when
travelling through a medium ?
9. Write the mathematical form of Ampere-Maxwell circuital law.
 VELAMMAL VIDYALAYA,ALAPAKKAM
PREVIOUS YEAR BOARD QUESTIONS - PHYSICS

RAY OPTICS
1. Define the power of a lens. Can it be negative ?
2. The radii of curvature of the two faces of a double convex lens (of refractive index n = 1.6) are 20 cm
and 30 cm respectively. Calculate the power of the lens.
3. Define magnifying power of a telescope.
4. In an astronomical telescope, explain why the objective has a large focal length and a much larger
aperture than the eyepieces.
5. Write two important advantages of reflecting telescope over a refracting one.
6. A ray of light incident on an equilateral glass prism of refractive index (µg= 3), moves parallel to the
base line of the prism inside it. Calculate the (i) angle of incidence of this ray and (ii) angle of
minimum deviation.
7. Two slits in Young’s double slit experiment are illuminated by two sodium lamps emitting light of the
same wavelength. Why is no interference pattern observed on the screen ?
8. A lens of power 2·0 D is placed in contact with another lens of power – 1.0 D. The combination will
behave as a ?
9. The distance between the object and the real image formed by a convex lens is d. The magnification
of the image is m. The focal length of the lens is ?
10.What happens when the lower half of a concave mirror’s reflecting surface is covered with a black
paper ?
11. A convex lens made of glass of refractive index n1 is dipped in a liquid of refractive index n2. If it
𝑛
behaves as a diverging lens, then the value of 𝑛1 is ?
2
12. Why is a compound microscope preferred over a simple microscope ?
3
13. A ray of light is incident on one face of an equilateral prism at an angle 4th of the angle of the prism.
If the ray passes symmetrically through the prism, find the
(a) angle of minimum deviation, and
(b) refractive index of the material of the prism.
14. Define the resolving power of a compound microscope.
15. Write the expression for magnifying power of an astronomical telescope.
16. An astronomical telescope uses two lenses of powers 10 D and 1 D. Which lens is preferred as an
objective lens and why ?
17. Why is convex mirror used as a side view mirror in a car ?
18. A lens of larger power bends the incident light more. Why ?
19. Write the necessary conditions for the phenomenon of total internal reflection to take place. How
does one account for the brilliance exhibited by a diamond when it is suitably cut ?
20. Answer the following, giving reason :
(a) When light travels from a denser to a rarer medium, the speed increases. Does it mean that
there is an increase in the energy carried by the waves ?
(b) The Sun appears reddish at sunset and sunrise.
21. Explain the working of an astronomical telescope. The magnifying power of a telescope in its
normal adjustment is 24. If the length of the telescope is 100 cm in normal adjustment, find the focal
lengths of both the lenses.
22. Explain the working of a compound microscope. A compound microscope consists of an objective
of focal length 1.0 cm and an eyepiece of focal length 2.0 cm. If its tube length is 20 cm,
find the magnification produced when the final image is formed at infinity.
23. A thin concave lens of focal length 2f is put in contact with a thin convex lens of focal length f .The
focal length of the combination will be ?
24. An equiconvex lens of focal length f is cut into two equal halves perpendicular to its principal axis.
Find the focal length of each half of the lens.
25. Name the factors on which the focal length of a lens depends.
26. Is it possible for two lenses in contact to have zero power ? Explain.
27. If the refractive index of the denser medium increases, how will the corresponding value of critical
angle for the pair of mediums change ?
28. Explain how this phenomenon can be used in a prism to deviate a ray of light by 90°.
29. A ray of light travels from an optically denser medium to a rarer medium and is incident at critical
angle (ic). Find the angle of deviation for this ray.
30. Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of image by a concave mirror when the object is placed
between f and 2f. Using this diagram, derive the mirror equation.
31. An object is kept 30 cm in front of a convex mirror of focal length 12 cm. Find the nature and
position of the image formed.
32. Draw a ray diagram showing the image formation by a compound microscope. Hence obtain the
expression for total magnification when the image is formed at least distance of distinct vision.
33. A compound microscope consists of an objective lens of focal length 2.0 cm and an eyepiece of
focal length 6.0 cm. If they are separated by a distance of 24 cm, find the total magnification when
the image is formed at infinity.
34. Show in a figure the variation of angle δ with angle of incidence i.
35. Show that for a prism of small angle A, the refractive index of its material can be written as
𝛿𝑚
µ = 1+ .
𝐴
36. A ray of light passes through an equilateral prism such that both the angle of incidence and the
angle of emergence are equal to the angle of prism A. Find the refractive index of the material of
the prism, in terms of A.
37. A ray of light passes through a prism of angle 750 , as shown in the figure. The refractive index of
the material of the prism, with respect to its surrounding is √2 . Find the angle of incidence i.

38. A bright point source is placed at the bottom of a tank containing a transparent liquid (refractive
index µ) to a height H. Let r be the radius of the circular area of the liquid surface through which
light can emerge out. Find the ratio (r/H).
39. A concave mirror of focal length 10 cm produces a real image which is 3 times the size of the
object. Find the distance of the object from the mirror.
40. Draw a ray diagram for formation of a real and diminished image of an object kept in front of a
concave mirror. Hence derive the mirror equation.
41. Two converging lenses of focal lengths f1 and f2 are placed coaxially in contact. Derive the
expression for the focal length of the combination using the ray diagram for the formation of the
image of an object by the combination.
42. The figure shows the variation of image distance v with object distance u for a lens.
(i) What is the nature of the lens ?
(ii) Using the graph, find the focal length of the lens.

43. A spherical surface of radius of curvature R separates two media of refractive indices n1 and n2. A
point object is placed in front of the surface at distance u in medium of refractive index n1 and its
image is formed by the surface at distance v, in the medium of refractive index n 2. Derive a relation
between u and v.
44. A solid glass sphere of radius 6.0 cm has a small air bubble trapped at a distance 3.0 cm from its
centre C as shown in the figure. The refractive index of the material of the sphere is 1.5. Find the
apparent position of this bubble when seen through the surface of the sphere from an outside point
E in air.

45. Strontium titanate is a rare oxide a natural mineral found in Siberia. It is used as a substitute for
diamond because its refractive index and critical angle are 2.410 and 24.50 , respectively, which are
approximately equal to the refractive index and critical angle of diamond. It has all the properties of
diamond. Even an expert jeweller is unable to differentiate between diamond and strontium titanate.
A ray of light is incident normally on one face of an equilateral triangular prism ABC made of
strontium titanate.
 (a) Trace the path of the ray showing its passage through the prism.
(b) Find the velocity of light through the prism.
(c) Briefly explain two applications of total internal reflection.
OR
(c) Define total internal reflection of light. Give two conditions for it.
46. A biconvex lens of glass having refractive index 1.47 is immersed in a liquid. It becomes invisible
and behaves as a plane glass plate. The refractive index of the liquid is ?
47. For a glass prism, the angle of minimum deviation will be smallest for the light of colour?
48. Using lens maker’s formula, derive the thin lens formula for a convex lens.
49. Draw the ray diagram of an astronomical telescope when the final image is formed at infinity. Write
the expression for the resolving power of the telescope.
50. An astronomical telescope has an objective lens of focal length 20 m and eyepiece of focal length
1cm.
(i) Find the angular magnification of the telescope.
(ii) If this telescope is used to view the Moon, find the diameter of the image formed by the objective
lens. Given the diameter of the Moon is 3.5 x 106 m and radius of lunar orbit is 3.8 x 108 m.
51. An object is placed in front of a concave mirror. It is observed that a virtual image is formed. Draw
the ray diagram to show the image formation and hence derive the mirror equation.
52. An object is placed 30 cm in front of a plano-convex lens with its spherical surface of radius of
curvature 20 cm. If the refractive index of the material of the lens is 1·5, find the position and nature
of the image formed.
 VELAMMAL VIDYALAYA,ALAPAKKAM
PREVIOUS YEAR BOARD QUESTIONS - PHYSICS

WAVE OPTICS :

1. Define the term linearly polarized light ? How does an unpolarized light get linearly polarized when
passed through a polaroid ? Explain. When linearly polarized light is viewed through a second
polaroid which is rotated through 2π, show that two maxima and two minima can be seen.
2. Use Huygen’s principle to explain the formation of diffraction pattern due to a single slit illuminated by
a monochromatic source of light. How is the angular width of central bright maximum changed when :
(i) slit width is decreased, (ii) the distance between the slit and screen is increased, (iii) light of
smaller wavelength is used ? Justify your answer in each case.
3. When an unpolaroid light is incident on a polaroid sheet, its intensity is reduced by ____________ %.
4. What is the shape of the wavefront reflected by a concave mirror when a plane wave is incident on it ?
5. (a) What kind of a pattern is formed on the screen and how ?
(b) What will be the change in the (i) angular width, and (ii) linear width, of the principal maximum in
this pattern when the screen is moved parallel to itself away from the slit plane ?
(c) State two differences between this pattern and the interference pattern formed in Young’s double
slit experiment.
6. (a) What are coherent sources ? Why are two coherent sources necessary for observing the
interference pattern ?
(b) Show that the superposition of the waves originating from two coherent sources described by
y1 = a cos ωt and y2 = a cos (ωt + Φ) at a point produces a resultant intensity, I = 4a2 cos2 Φ/2.
Hence, write the conditions for the appearance of dark and bright fringes.
7. In Young’s double-slit experiment, the slit separation is made three times and the distance of the
screen from the slits is doubled. The fringe width becomes ?
8. The intensities of the principal maximum and secondary maxima in a single slit diffraction pattern are
not equal. Explain.
9. In Young’s double-slit experiment, set-up in air, the fringe width is found to be β. If the entire set-up is
immersed in water, how would β be affected ? Give reason for your answer.
10. What is a wavefront ? What is the direction of a beam of light with respect to the wavefront
associated with it ?
11. State Huygens principle. Using it, explain the propagation of light.
12. State two conditions necessary for light from two sources to be coherent.
13. A converging lens is immersed in a transparent medium. Explain the condition under which the
lens (1) becomes invisible and (2) behaves as a diverging lens.
14. In Young’s double-slit experiment, the intensity on the screen is I0at a point where path difference is λ.
𝜆
The intensity at the point where path difference is 4 ?
15. plane wave is incident on a concave mirror of radius of curvature R. What is the reflected wave is a
spherical wave of radius ?
16. In which case is diffraction effect more dominant slit formed by 2 blades or slit formed by two fingers ?
17. Yellow light ( = 6000 Å) illuminates a single slit of width 1 x 104 m. Calculate (i) the distance between
 two dark lines on either side of central maximum, in the diffraction pattern observed on a screen kept
1.5 m away from the slit, and (ii) the angular spread of the first minimum.
18. What will be the colour of the central bright fringe in Young’s double slit experiment if the
monochromatic source is replaced by a source of white light ? Give reason for your answer.
19. In Young’s double-slit experiment, the slits are separated by 0.3 mm and the screen is placed 1.5 m
away from the slits. The distance between the central bright fringe and the sixth bright fringe is found
to be 1.8 cm. Find the wavelength of light used in the experiment.
20. Assertion (A) : The phase difference between any two points on a wavefront is zero.
Reason (R) : All points on a wavefront are at the same distance from the source and thus oscillate
in the same phase.
21.Using Huygen’s principle,draw a diagram showing the propogation of a plane wave refracting at a
plane surface separating two media.Also verify snell’s law of refraction.
22. Why is a reflecting telescope preferred over a refracting telescope ? Justify your answer giving two
reasons.
23. Two coherent monochromatic light beams of intensities I and 4 I superpose each other. Find the ratio
of maximum and minimum intensities in the resulting beam.
24. Write two points of difference between an interference pattern and a diffraction pattern.
25. Name any two factors on which the fringe width in a Young’s double-slit experiment depends.
26. In Young’s double -slit experiment, the two slits are separated by a distance equal to 100 times the
wavelength of light that passes through the slits. Calculate :
(1) the angular separation in radians between the central maximum and the adjacent maximum.
(2) the distance between these two maxima on a screen 50 cm from the slits.
27. Larger aperture of objective lens in an astronomical telescope :
(A) increases the resolving power of telescope.
(B) decreases the brightness of the image.
(C) increases the size of the image.
(D) decreases the length of the telescope.
28. Define wavefront of a travelling wave. Using Huygens principle, obtain the law of refraction at a plane
interface when light passes from a denser to rarer medium.
29. What is the effect on the interference fringes in Young’s double slit experiment due to each of the
following operations ? Justify your answers.
(a) The screen is moved away from the plane of the slits.
(b) The separation between slits is increased.
(c) The source slit is moved closer to the plane of double slit.
 VELAMMAL VIDYALAYA,ALAPAKKAM
PREVIOUS YEAR BOARD QUESTIONS - PHYSICS

DUAL NATURE

1. A proton and an electron have same kinetic energy. Which one has greater de-Broglie wavelength ?
2. How is the de-Broglie wavelength of the electron orbiting in the ground state of hydrogen atom
related to its radius ?
3. Write Einstein’s photoelectric equation. State briefly the observed features of photoelectric effect
which can be explained from this equation.
4. When a radiation of wavelength ? falls on a photosensitive surface, the maximum kinetic energy of
photoelectrons is K. For radiation of wavelength 2𝜆, the maximum kinetic energy is ?
5. Violet light can cause photoelectric emission from a given metal surface, but blue light cannot. If
sodium light is incident on the same surface, then what happens ?
6. A proton, when accelerated through a potential difference of V volt, has de Broglie wavelength λ
associated with it. If an alpha particle is to have the same wavelength λ, it must be accelerated
through a potential difference of ?
7. Define the term ‘threshold frequency’ in photoelectric effect.
8. The work function for a given photosensitive surface is 2.5 eV. When light of frequency ν falls on this
surface the emitted photoelectrons are completely stopped by applying a retarding potential of 4.1 V.
Find the frequency v of the light.
9. Write the expression for the de-Broglie wavelength associated with an electron accelerated through a
potential V.
10. Explain the terms (i) threshold frequency, and (ii) stopping potential, using Einstein’s photoelectric
equation.State clearly one observed feature in photoelectric effect which cannot be explained by the
wave nature of light.
11. The work function of potassium is 2.3 eV and threshold wavelength for it is 540 nm. The threshold
wavelength for a metal whose work function is 4.6 eV will be ?
12. Assertion (A) : The photoelectric current increases with increase in intensity of incident radiation,
keeping the frequency of the incident radiation and the accelerating potential fixed.
Reason (R) : The number of photoelectrons emitted per second is directly proportional to the
intensity of incident radiation.
13. (a) Write (i) explain the existence of threshold frequency for a given photosensitive surface.
(ii) show that the stopping potential, V0 varies linearly with the frequency ν of incident radiation.
Explain how the value of planck’s constant can be found from the V0 versus ν curve.
14.Plot variation of particle’s momentum with de Broglie’s wavelength associated with it ?
15. Light of frequency 1.5 ν0 is incident on a photosensitive material of threshold frequency ν0. If the
frequency of the incident radiation is kept constant and intensity is increased, the photo current will?
16. Assertion (A) : A proton and an alpha particle having same kinetic energy are moving in circular
paths in a uniform magnetic field. The radii of their circular paths will be equal.
Reason (R) : The centripetal force required to move a charged particle in a circle does not depend
on the magnitude of the magnetic field.
17. Light of wavelength 3500 Å is incident on two metals A and B. Which of them will yield
 photoelectrons, if their work functions are 4.2 eV and 1.9 eV respectively ? Make the necessary
calculations to justify your answer.
18. A beam of high energy photons, each of energy of E is incident on a metal surface and electrons
are ejected from the surface. Assuming that the work function of the metal, Φ is negligible, find the
relation between the de Broglie wavelength λ associated with photoelectrons and the energy of

photons E. Show in a figure, the variation of λ as a function of E.

19. The figure shows the variation of photoelectric current (I) versus applied voltage (V) for two
photosensitive materials and for two different intensities of the incident radiation. Identify the pairs
of curves that correspond to different materials for same intensity of incident radiation.
Justify your answers in brief.

20. The figure shows the variation of stopping potential Vo with frequencies of incident monochromatic
beam for a metal. Such a graph was first obtained by R.A. Millikan in 1916 for sodium.

Explain how using Einstein’s photoelectric equation and the graph ,you can obtain the value of
(i)planck’s constant and (ii)work function of the metal, given the value of charge on electron.
21. Assertion (A) : Photoelectric effect demonstrates the particle nature of light.
Reason (R) : Photoelectric current is proportional to intensity of incident radiation for frequencies
more than the threshold frequency.
22. How does Einstein’s equation explain the emission of electrons from a metal surface ? Explain
briefly. Plot the variation of photocurrent with :
(a) collector plate potential for different intensity of incident radiation, and
(b) intensity of incident radiation.
23. A proton and an electron have equal speeds. Find the ratio of de Broglie wavelengths associated
with them.
24. The variation of the stopping potential (V0) with the frequency (ν) of the light incident on two
different photosensitive surfaces M1 and M2 is shown in the figure. Identify the surface which has
greater value of the work function.
25. (a)Write two main observations of photoelectric effect experiment which could only be explained by
Einstein’s photoelectric equation.
(b) Draw a graph showing variation of photocurrent with the anode potential of a photocell.
 VELAMMAL VIDYALAYA,ALAPAKKAM
PREVIOUS YEAR BOARD QUESTIONS - PHYSICS

ATOMS :

1. When a hydrogen atom is in its second excited state, find the ratio of the maximum and minimum
wavelengths of the radiations emitted in the process of transition.
2. The ground state energy of hydrogen atom is – 13.6 eV. The potential energy of the orbiting electron
in this state is ____________ eV.
3. A hydrogen atom is in its second excited state. Find out the ratio of the maximum and minimum
wavelengths of the radiations emitted by it in de-excitation.
4. The ground state energy of hydrogen atom is – 13.6 eV. If an electron makes a transition from an
energy level – 0.85 eV to – 3.4 eV, calculate the wavelength of the spectral line emitted. To which
series of hydrogen spectrum does this wavelength belong ? (Rydberg constant R = 107 m-1)
5. The minimum energy required to free the electron from the ground state of the hydrogen atom in
Bohr model is 13.6 eV. The energy of the electron in its second orbit will be ?
6. Which series in hydrogen spectrum lies in its visible region ?
7. An electron (charge e, mass m) is revolving around a positively charged (charge + e) nucleus in a
circular orbit of radius r.
(i) For a stable orbit, equating the electrostatic Coulomb force between the electron and the nucleus
with the requisite centripetal force, obtain an expression for radius r.
(ii) What is Bohr’s postulate of angular momentum of electron in its orbit ? Using it and expression
obtained in (i) above, show that the radius r of the nth possible orbit is directly proportional to n2.
8. The impact parameter for an alpha particle approaching a target nucleus is maximum when the
scattering angle is ?
9. An electron in a hydrogen atom jumps from second excited state to the first excited state. Name the
spectral series in the spectrum of hydrogen atom to which the emitted radiation belongs.
10.Find the ratio of wavelengths of the most energetic spectral lines in the Balmer series to that in
Paschen series of hydrogen spectrum.
11. The ground state energy of hydrogen atom is -13. 6 eV. What is the potential energy and kinetic
energy of an electron in the third excited state ?
12. Draw the energy level diagram for hydrogen atom. Mark the transitions corresponding to the series
lying in the ultraviolet region, visible region and infrared region.
 VELAMMAL VIDYALAYA,ALAPAKKAM
PREVIOUS YEAR BOARD QUESTIONS - PHYSICS

NUCLEI :

1. Show that the density of a nucleus over a wide range of nuclei is constant and independent of mass
number A.
2. Write two characteristic properties of nuclear force. How does one explain the release of energy in
the processes of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion ?
3. A nucleus with A = 280 splits into two nuclei X1 and X2 whose mass numbers are in the ratio 27 : 8.
Find the ratio of their radii.
4. (a) Obtain the relationship between atomic mass unit (u) and electron volt (eV).
(b) The mass of a ball is 0·5 kg. It is totally converted into energy. Calculate the energy output in eV.
5. The binding energy per nucleon is lower :
(a) for light nuclei only
(b) for heavy nuclei only
(c) for nuclei of middle mass numbers only
(d) both for the light nuclei and the heavy nuclei.
6. Two nuclei have their mass numbers in the ratio of 1 : 27. What is the ratio of their nuclear densities.
7. An –α particle having kinetic energy K approaches a nucleus of atomic number Z. It gets close to the
nucleus and then approaches a distance (d) and reverses its direction. Obtain an expression for the
distance of closest approach (d) in terms of kinetic energy of the α-particle.
8. A proton and an alpha particle approach a target nucleus in head-on position, with equal velocities.
Find the ratio of their distances of closest approach to the target nucleus.
9. The binding energy per nucleon of 168𝑂 is 7.97 MeV and that of 178𝑂 is 7.75 MeV. The energy (in
MeV) required to remove a neutron from 178𝑂 is ?
10. Draw a diagram to show the variation of binding energy per nucleon with mass number for different
nuclei and mention its two features. Why do lighter nuclei usually undergo nuclear fusion ?
64
11. The nuclear radius of 27 13𝐴𝑙 is 3.6 fermi. Find the nuclear radius of 29𝐶𝑢 .
 VELAMMAL VIDYALAYA,ALAPAKKAM
PREVIOUS YEAR BOARD QUESTIONS – PHYSICS

SEMICONDUCTORS:

1. In an unbiased p-n junction, why do holes from p-region diffuse to n-region ? Explain.
2. The flow of current for forward biasing in a silicon p-n junction diode is due to ?
3. In an unbiased p-n junction diode, the diffusion current is equal to the drift current under __________
condition.
4. State the underlying principle of a full wave p-n junction rectifier and explain its working.
5. Explain briefly how
(a) a barrier potential is formed in a p-n junction diode.
(b) the width of the depletion region in a p-n junction diode is affected when it is (i) forward biased,
and (ii) reverse biased.
6. Explain briefly how a potential barrier is formed in a p-n junction diode.
7. Name the dopants that has to be added in silicon to make it a p-type semiconductor ?
8. When a p-n junction diode is forward biased :
(a) the depletion layer width increases and the barrier height is reduced.
(b) the depletion layer width decreases and the barrier height is reduced.
(c) both the depletion layer width and the barrier height increase.
(d) the depletion layer width decreases and the barrier height increases.
9. Briefly explain how the valence band and conduction band are formed in a crystal.
10. Explain how a depletion region is formed in a p-n junction.
11. Assertion (A) : The temperature coefficient of resistance is positive for metals and negative for
semiconductors.
Reason (R) : The charge carriers in metals are negatively charged whereas in semiconductors
they are positively charged.
12. Assertion (A) : Silicon is preferred over germanium for making semiconductor devices.
Reason (R) : The energy gap for germanium is more than the energy gap for silicon.
13. Draw the circuit diagram used to study I -V characteristics of a p-n junction diode in conducting
mode. Mark on the graph the threshold voltage of the diode. Explain the significance of this voltage.
14. In the circuit shown in the figure, the forward voltage drop across the diode is 0.3 V. Find the
voltage difference between A and B.

15. Briefly describe the classification of solids into metals, insulators and semi-conductors on the basis
 of energy level diagrams.
16. In a silicon diode, the current increases from 10 mA to 20 mA when the voltage changes from 0.6 V
to 0.7 V. Calculate the dynamic resistance of the diode.
17. Differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors.
18. Draw the circuit arrangement for studying the V -I characteristics of a p-n junction diode in forward
bias and reverse bias. Show the plot of V -I characteristic of a silicon diode.
19. Briefly explain how the diffusion and drift currents contribute to the formation of potential barrier in a
p-n junction diode.
20. How does an increase in doping concentration affect the width of depletion layer of a p-n junction
diode ?
21. Why cannot we use Si and Ge in fabrication of visible LEDs ?
22. Explain the terms ‘depletion layer’ and ‘potential barrier’ in a p-n junction diode. How are the (a)
width of depletion layer, and
(b) value of potential barrier affected when the p-n junction is forward biased ?
23.Explain the working of half wave and full wave rectifier.