Which path will current follow?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the path of current in a circuit using a complete diode model, specifically addressing the behavior of ideal and silicon diodes under certain conditions. Participants explore the implications of dynamic resistance and the voltage drop across diodes, while attempting to compute the current in the circuit.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the complete diode model, suggesting that the ideal diode acts as a switch with no voltage drop, leading to current following the path through the ideal diode.
  • Another participant clarifies the characteristics of different diode models, noting that the ideal diode has a 0 V drop and no small signal resistance, while the constant voltage drop model assumes a 0.7 V drop with no resistance.
  • A participant questions whether the dynamic resistance is necessary in the ideal diode model, suggesting that omitting it could lead to a short circuit where current cannot be computed.
  • Multiple participants inquire about the correctness of the battery's polarity in the circuit diagram, indicating that incorrect polarity could lead to open circuits and zero current.
  • One participant assumes the ideal diode model for simplicity and discusses the implications of the current setup, suggesting that both diodes may behave as short circuits under certain conditions.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the problem statement requires using the complete diode model, which may affect the analysis of the circuit.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of dynamic resistance in the ideal diode model and the implications of battery polarity on circuit behavior. There is no consensus on the correctness of the initial solution attempt or the overall circuit configuration.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential limitations related to the assumptions made about diode behavior and the importance of circuit configuration, particularly regarding battery polarity and the presence of dynamic resistance.

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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