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Chapter 1: Problem 25

Describe in your own words the characteristics of the ideal diode and how they determine the on and off states of the device. That is, describe why the short-circuit and open-circuit equivalents are appropriate.

Short Answer

Expert verified
An ideal diode acts as a perfect conductor (zero resistance) when 'on' (forward biased) representing a short-circuit, and a perfect insulator (infinite resistance) when 'off' (reverse biased) which represents an open circuit. The short-circuit and open-circuit equivalents are appropriate for the 'on' and 'off' states respectively because they mimic the behavior of the ideal diode in these states.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the ideal diode

The ideal diode can be considered as a 'perfect' diode which provides a zero resistance path when it is forward biased ('on' state), and infinite resistance when it is reverse biased ('off' state). This characteristic discards the real-world issues such as the forward bias voltage, reverse breakdown, etc. associated with the practical diode. In the simplest terms, it acts as a perfect conductor with zero voltage drop when in the 'on' state, and as a perfect insulator in the 'off' state.
02

The 'on' state (short-circuit equivalent)

An ideal diode in the 'on' state is equivalent to a short circuit. In an electrical circuit, a short circuit is a low resistance path for electric current to flow between two conductors. When the diode is forward biased, it provides such a low resistance path for the current flow which makes it equivalent to a short circuit. Hence, the short-circuit equivalent appropriately represents this active, 'on' state of the ideal diode.
03

The 'off' state (open-circuit equivalent)

Contrary to the 'on' state, when the ideal diode is in the 'off' state, it is equivalent to an open circuit. An open circuit represents a break in the path that the electric current takes. When the diode is reverse biased, no current flows through it, similarly as in an open circuit. Therefore, the open-circuit equivalent is a suitable representation of the ideal diode in the 'off' state.

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