Which path will current follow?

In summary: Presumably, the person is asking if the following statement is true: "Given dynamic resistance is 240 ohm, compute current."If you assumed a non-ideal model, then the answer would be no. With an ideal diode, the current would be 0 as soon as the diode became forward-biased.
  • #1
jawad hussain
6
1

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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  • #2
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}##.
 
  • #3
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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  • #4
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?
 
  • #5
Can you check the polarity of the battery is correct in your drawing?
 
  • #6
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:
  • #7
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".
 

Related to Which path will current follow?

1. What factors affect the path that current will follow?

The path that current will follow is affected by several factors including the resistance of the material, the voltage applied, and the direction of the electric field.

2. How does the resistance of a material affect the path of current?

The resistance of a material determines how easily current can flow through it. Materials with higher resistance will cause current to follow a longer path compared to materials with lower resistance.

3. What is the relationship between voltage and the path of current?

Voltage is the driving force behind the flow of current. The higher the voltage, the more energy is available to push current through a material, resulting in a shorter path for current to follow.

4. Can the path of current be controlled?

Yes, the path of current can be controlled by manipulating the electric field. This can be done by using different materials or by changing the direction of the electric field.

5. Is the path of current the same in all materials?

No, the path of current can vary depending on the properties of the material it is flowing through. Some materials, such as conductors, allow current to flow easily while others, like insulators, resist the flow of current.

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