Electronic Components & Circuit Analysis Flashcards

When a silicon diode is forward biased, the typical voltage drop across it is approximately:

Answer: 0.7 V

Silicon diodes have a forward voltage drop of approximately 0.7 V, while germanium diodes drop about 0.3 V.

In a Wheatstone bridge circuit, the bridge is said to be balanced when:

Answer: The galvanometer reads zero current

A Wheatstone bridge is balanced when the ratio R1/R2 = R3/R4, resulting in zero current through the galvanometer.

What does the 'Q factor' of a resonant circuit indicate?

Answer: The ratio of reactance to resistance

Q factor (quality factor) is the ratio of reactance to resistance, indicating the selectivity and efficiency of a resonant circuit.

A full-wave rectifier using a center-tapped transformer produces a ripple frequency of:

Answer: Twice the input frequency

A full-wave rectifier produces output pulses during both half-cycles, resulting in a ripple frequency twice the input AC frequency.

In a common-collector (emitter follower) amplifier, the voltage gain is approximately:

Answer: Slightly less than 1

The emitter follower has a voltage gain just under 1, but provides high current gain and acts as an impedance transformer.

What is the primary purpose of a snubber circuit used with switching components?

Answer: Suppress voltage transients and ringing

Snubber circuits (typically RC networks) absorb the energy of voltage spikes caused by rapid switching of inductive loads.

Which parameter of a capacitor determines how much charge it can store per unit voltage?

Answer: Capacitance value in farads

Capacitance (C = Q/V) directly defines the charge stored per volt; larger capacitance stores more charge at the same voltage.