Electronics: Semiconductors & Power Supplies is one of 9 topics in the Grade 12 Electrical Technology CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What are the two terminals of a diode called?
Anode and cathode
Base and collector
Source and drain
Positive and negative pole only, with no specific names
Answer: Anode and cathode — A diode has two terminals: the anode (connected to the P-type material) and the cathode (connected to the N-type material).
Easy
2. Approximately what forward voltage drop does a typical silicon diode need before it conducts readily?
Approximately 0,7 V
Approximately 5 V
Approximately 0,1 V
Approximately 12 V
Answer: Approximately 0,7 V — A typical silicon diode has a forward voltage drop of approximately 0,7 V, below which very little current flows even when forward biased.
Medium
3. Name the region that forms at a PN junction, where holes and electrons have recombined, creating a barrier to current flow.
Answer: depletion layer — The depletion layer forms at the PN junction where holes and electrons have recombined, leaving no free charge carriers and creating a natural barrier to current flow.
