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2 marksThe p-n Junction Diode

CAPE Physics Unit 2 · May/June 2026 · Paper 2 · Question 2(c)(ii)

Figure 4 shows a circuit with the V_supply from Figure 2 on page 11, feeding a load through a diode. The diode has ideal characteristics such that the voltage across the diode is V_D = 0 when there is no current passing through it and V_D = 0.7 volts when it is conducting.

Determine the peak voltage across the load in Figure 4.

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Other parts of this question

  1. 2(a)State the meaning of EACH symbol in the table below and use Figure 2 to determine each value.[8 marks]
  2. 2(b)Calculate the power dissipated in the circuit in Figure 3.[5 marks]
  3. 2(c)(i)Use Figure 2 to determine the times in the given cycle at which the diode in Figure 4 starts and stops conducting.[2 marks]
  4. 2(c)(iii)In the space provided below, sketch ONE cycle of the output voltage across the load in Figure 4 on page 13.[1 mark]
  5. 2(d)Complete the table below by inserting THREE characteristics of an ideal operational amplifier and a real operational amplifier. For EACH characteristic, state…[6 marks]
  6. 2(e)(i)Calculate the voltage gain of the circuit in Figure 5.[2 marks]
  7. 2(e)(ii)Determine the value of the output voltage when the input voltage is 2 V.[2 marks]
  8. 2(e)(iii)If the input voltage is now 5 V, state the value of the output voltage, giving a reason for your response.[2 marks]

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