Which path will current follow?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on determining the current path in a circuit using a complete diode model, where an ideal diode is represented as a switch and a dynamic resistance of 240 ohms is included. It is established that both diodes are forward biased, with the ideal diode having a 0V drop, allowing it to conduct immediately and preventing the silicon diode from turning on. The computed current through the ideal diode is approximately 0.041667A, based on Ohm's law. Participants clarify that if the ideal diode is treated as a short circuit, the current path would only involve the ideal diode, while concerns are raised about the battery's polarity affecting circuit behavior. The overall conclusion is that the current will follow the ideal diode path unless circuit configurations are altered.
jawad hussain
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Homework Statement


using complete diode model explain which path will the current follow? given dynamic resistance is 240 ohm.compute current.
2. The attempt at a solution
when we make complete diode model, ideal diode will be replaced by a switch and the given dynamic resistance. the silicon diode will be replaced by a 0.7v battery, a switch and the given dynamic resistance.
from figure both the diodes are forward biased.
now as ideal diode has 0v potential drop across itself, it will start conducting the circuit current immediately, preventing the silicon diode to attain 0.7v and thus from turning on. so the current will follow the path through ideal diode.
now we can compute current as, the whole drop of battery is across dynamic resistance of ideal diode so by applying ohms law I=0.041667A.
Now problem is only i want to confirm this solution attempt. is this right or any other modification needed??
thanks
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ideal diode will be replaced by a switch and the given dynamic resistance.

Just to clarify the diode models:

An ideal diode will have a ##0 V## drop when forward biased. There will be no small signal resistance in this case.

The constant voltage drop model usually assumes the voltage drop is ##0.7 V## and there will again be no resistance.

The small signal model assumes the diode is replaced by a ##0.7 V## battery and a small signal resistance given by ##r_d = \frac{n V_T}{I_D}##.
 
jawad hussain said:

Homework Statement


using complete diode model explain which path will the current follow? given dynamic resistance is 240 ohm.compute current.
2. The attempt at a solution
when we make complete diode model, ideal diode will be replaced by a switch and the given dynamic resistance. the silicon diode will be replaced by a 0.7v battery, a switch and the given dynamic resistance.
from figure both the diodes are forward biased.
now as ideal diode has 0v potential drop across itself, it will start conducting the circuit current immediately, preventing the silicon diode to attain 0.7v and thus from turning on. so the current will follow the path through ideal diode.
now we can compute current as, the whole drop of battery is across dynamic resistance of ideal diode so by applying ohms law I=0.041667A.
Now problem is only i want to confirm this solution attempt. is this right or any other modification needed??
thanksView attachment 84087 View attachment 84088 View attachment 84088
Picture 1: you just burned out your diode!
 
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oka...thanks #zodrina you mean to say that we have no longer needed to attach dynamic resistance in ideal diode. In this case this will be a short circuit and current will follow the short circuit but we can not compute the current. Is it? or something else?
 
Can you check the polarity of the battery is correct in your drawing?
 
CWatters said:
Can you check the polarity of the battery is correct in your drawing?

If you pointed the battery the other way with the current set up, there would be two open circuits. Trivially the current would be zero.

I'll assume the ideal diode model for the sake of simplicity.

With the current setup, both diodes will behave as short circuits. The left wire would short the current going to the resistor, hence the current flowing in the left-hand diode is the only current you need to worry about. You can calculate the diode current if you assumed a non-ideal model.

Perhaps if you flipped the left-hand diode the other way, your circuit would work with the current setup, and the given problem would seemingly make more sense.
 
Last edited:
Zondrina said:
If you pointed the battery the other way with the current set up, there would be two open circuits. Trivially the current would be zero.

Not necessarily.

The problem statement says.. "using complete diode model".
 

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