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Rishav sapahi
- 19
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why the potential of n side is higher than that of the p side when no battery is connected to the p-n junction?
Rishav sapahi said:so Is high potential just means that given side is more positively charged than other
The potential of the n side is higher in an unbiased p-n junction because of the difference in electron concentration between the n and p regions. The n region has a higher concentration of free electrons compared to the p region, resulting in a higher negative charge on the n side and a higher positive charge on the p side. This creates an electric field that causes the potential to be higher on the n side.
The potential difference in a p-n junction controls the flow of electrons and holes across the junction. When the junction is unbiased, there is a depletion region at the interface which prevents the majority carriers (electrons in n region and holes in p region) from crossing the junction. However, when a potential difference is applied, electrons and holes can move across the junction, resulting in a flow of current.
No, the potential of the n side cannot be lower than the p side in an unbiased p-n junction. This is because the majority carriers in the n region (electrons) have a higher mobility compared to the majority carriers in the p region (holes). Therefore, when the junction is unbiased, the n region will always have a higher potential due to the higher concentration and mobility of electrons.
When a forward bias is applied to the p-n junction, the potential of the n side decreases compared to the p side. This is because the applied voltage reduces the potential barrier at the junction, allowing more majority carriers to cross the junction. As a result, the positive charge on the n side decreases, and the negative charge on the p side increases, causing a decrease in potential on the n side.
When a reverse bias is applied to the p-n junction, the potential of the n side increases compared to the p side. This is because the applied voltage increases the potential barrier at the junction, preventing majority carriers from crossing the junction. As a result, the positive charge on the n side increases, and the negative charge on the p side decreases, causing an increase in potential on the n side.