Reverse biasing a diode has what effect on current flow?

Reverse biasing a diode has what effect on current flow?

• A. Current flows freely
• B. Stops current flow
• C. Current increases linearly with voltage
• D. The diode emits light

Answer: (B)

When a diode is reverse biased, the p-n junction forms a much larger barrier for charge carriers. The depletion region widens and the built-in potential that carriers must overcome increases, so it becomes very difficult for current to flow. As a result, only a tiny leakage current exists, effectively stopping current under normal conditions. The other statements don’t fit: current does not flow freely in reverse bias, the current does not increase linearly with voltage in this mode, and a standard diode does not emit light simply from reverse bias (that would be a property of LEDs when forward-biased).

When a diode is reverse biased, the p-n junction forms a much larger barrier for charge carriers. The depletion region widens and the built-in potential that carriers must overcome increases, so it becomes very difficult for current to flow. As a result, only a tiny leakage current exists, effectively stopping current under normal conditions. The other statements don’t fit: current does not flow freely in reverse bias, the current does not increase linearly with voltage in this mode, and a standard diode does not emit light simply from reverse bias (that would be a property of LEDs when forward-biased).