Potential Difference Across Diode & Resistor

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around analyzing the potential differences across an ideal diode and a resistor as the forward bias voltage varies from 0 to 10V. The context includes the use of Kirchhoff's voltage law and considerations of an AC voltage source.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Kirchhoff's voltage law to relate the total voltage to the potential differences across the diode and resistor. There is uncertainty about the initial conditions, particularly regarding the diode's threshold voltage of 0.6V. Some participants express skepticism about the simplicity of the relationship between the source voltage and the voltage across the resistor.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between the diode voltage and the voltage across the resistor, but no consensus has been reached on the overall approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the potential complexity introduced by replacing the DC voltage source with an AC function generator, raising questions about how to graph the resulting voltages over time.

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Homework Statement



Assume an ideal diode with ##V_t=0.6##v, find the potential differences across the diode V_ab and across the resistor V_bc as the forward bias voltage is varied from 0 to 10v. Hint: equivalent circuits may be useful

Embedding the image wasn't working so: http://s28.postimg.org/l6b8yzqbw/image.jpg

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not really sure how to find the potential difference across the diode and resistor. From KVL I get ##V_0=V_{ab}+iR## although this doesn't seem useful since it's an equation with both of the quantities that I want. I'm pretty sure there's no potential difference across them until the voltage increases to 0.6V though.
 
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Potatochip911 said:

Homework Statement



Assume an ideal diode with ##V_t=0.6##v, find the potential differences across the diode V_ab and across the resistor V_bc as the forward bias voltage is varied from 0 to 10v. Hint: equivalent circuits may be useful

Embedding the image wasn't working so: http://s28.postimg.org/l6b8yzqbw/image.jpg

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not really sure how to find the potential difference across the diode and resistor. From KVL I get ##V_0=V_{ab}+iR## although this doesn't seem useful since it's an equation with both of the quantities that I want. I'm pretty sure there's no potential difference across them until the voltage increases to 0.6V though.
It looks like the question just says the diode voltage is 0.6V, so the voltage across the resistor would just be the value of the voltage source minus the 0.6V diode drop,. Seems kind of too easy, though...
 
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berkeman said:
It looks like the question just says the diode voltage is 0.6V, so the voltage across the resistor would just be the value of the voltage source minus the 0.6V diode drop,. Seems kind of too easy, though...
Yea that's probably correct though since I'm supposed to find the ac voltage across the resistor now if the battery is replaced by an ac function generator. I'm supposed to let ##V_{ac}=V_0/sin wt## with V_0>V_t so I suppose this is also what the function generator is equal to. Now I have to graph V_{ac} and V_{bc} on the same scale versus t.
Using kirchhoffs law would it end up looking like this?
http://s11.postimg.org/818tzi9f6/image.jpg

Sorry for terrible pictures I'm on my phone
 
Potatochip911 said:
Vac=V0/sinwt
I think you mean Vac = Vo * sin(wt)

And your drawing is basically right for the ideal diode they are specifying.
 
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