Solve Simple MOSFET Question | Homework Equations & Tips

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The discussion revolves around a homework question involving a MOSFET and its on-resistance (R_on) of 100 ohms. Participants clarify whether this resistance refers to an external resistor in the circuit or an internal characteristic of the MOSFET. The analysis indicates that if the voltage across a 19-ohm resistor exceeds 2V, the MOSFET will turn on, allowing current to flow and enabling power calculations. The calculations confirm that the power dissipation across the MOSFET is 0.25W, with different methods yielding the same result, highlighting both systematic and intuitive approaches to solving the problem. The conversation emphasizes understanding circuit behavior and applying voltage divider rules effectively.
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Homework Statement


See figure


Homework Equations


P=IV


The Attempt at a Solution



I need to clear something up before I even attempt the question. In the question is states the the R_{on} = 100 ohm

is that the 100 ohm resistor I see in the circuit or is it literally inside the MOSFET?

Any tips/suggestions on how to start this problem?

EDIT: Disregard the messed up LaTeX there I can't seem to remove it.
 

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jegues said:

Homework Statement


See figure

Homework Equations


P=IV

The Attempt at a Solution



I need to clear something up before I even attempt the question. In the question is states the the R_{on} = 100 ohm

is that the 100 ohm resistor I see in the circuit or is it literally inside the MOSFET?

Any tips/suggestions on how to start this problem?

EDIT: Disregard the messed up LaTeX there I can't seem to remove it.

if the voltage across 19 ohm resistor(lower one) is greater than 2 v,
then the mosfet will have gate voltage more than threshold voltage(i.e. 2 v).
then,
the conduction channel will be created or can be said induced in that nMOS.
then the current will start to flow from drain to source, and the channel resistance will be, 100 ohm.
so, the power dissipation needed here is across the nMOS.
now,
you calculate whether the lower 19 ohm resistor will have voltage drop of 2V or not.
if it will able to posses 2V(using simple voltage divider rules etc),then the nMOS will be on and then you consider the nMOS as another 100 ohm resistor connected in series with 100 ohm(upper one) and in parallel to lower 19 ohm resistor.
View attachment nMOS circuit.bmp

** the resistor values will be like previous ckt.
and new one is Ron=100 ohm, obviously.
 
I'm confused on how I would apply the voltage divider rule to a circuit like this. (I don't have any resistors in series?)

If I apply KVL on the outer loop of the circuit I can solve for i_{2}:

KVLouterloop: 100i_{2} + 100i_{2} - 10 = 0

i_{2} = \frac{1}{20} A

and applying KVL on the inner loop,

KVLinnerloop: 19ki_{3} + 19ki_{3} - 10 = 0

i_{3} = 2.63*10^{-4}

So the voltage across the bottom 19k resistor should be as follows:

V_{2} = i_{3} * 19k = 5V

So the voltage across the gate is greater than the tolerance voltage so the MOSFET should be on and the voltage across Vo will be the voltage across a 100 ohm resistor.

So,

V_{o} = i_{2} * 100 = 5V

So then the power dissapated across should be as follows:

P = i_{2} * V_{o} = \frac{1}{20} * 5 = 0.25W

Did I make any mistakes?
 
These results look good.

The voltage divider would have been faster, using the two 19k resistors in series. You could do the maths (or use experience to tell you that a voltage will be divided equally across two equal resistances) and see that the gate voltage is 5V.

You could then see that since the MOSFET has been turned on, you again have 10V across two equal resistances (see Raj's circuit) and thus have 5V across each one, and so the power through the MOSFET could also be calculated using P=\frac{{V^2}}{R} so you get P=\frac{{5^2}}{100} and thus the same answer P = 0.25W.

Your method is just as valid.
 
Zryn said:
These results look good.

The voltage divider would have been faster, using the two 19k resistors in series. You could do the maths (or use experience to tell you that a voltage will be divided equally across two equal resistances) and see that the gate voltage is 5V.

You could then see that since the MOSFET has been turned on, you again have 10V across two equal resistances (see Raj's circuit) and thus have 5V across each one, and so the power through the MOSFET could also be calculated using P=\frac{{V^2}}{R} so you get P=\frac{{5^2}}{100} and thus the same answer P = 0.25W.

Your method is just as valid.

Thanks for confirming.

My method was somewhat systematic, your method is way more intuitive and simple.

Thanks for sharing!
 
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