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Consider the following statements A and B and identify the correct answer: A. For a solar-cell, the I-V characteristics lies in the IV quadrant of the given graph. B. In a reverse biased pn junction diode, the current measured in (μA), is due to majority charge carriers.
Solar cell generates electrical power (delivers current at positive voltage -> IV quadrant); Reverse bias current is due to MINORITY carriers!
A solar cell is a p-n junction diode operated without any external bias voltage. When sunlight illuminates the depletion region, electron-hole pairs are photogenerated. The internal junction electric field sweeps electrons to the n-side and holes to the p-side, setting up a photo-voltage. When connected across a load, it supplies current. Because it supplies power rather than drawing power, the current flows out of the positive terminal, resulting in a negative current convention for positive voltage. Hence, the I-V curve lies in the IV quadrant.
When a p-n junction is reverse biased (p-side connected to negative terminal, n-side to positive terminal), the potential barrier height increases, completely blocking majority carriers from diffusing across the junction. The only current that flows is the reverse saturation current (order of microamperes, μA), which is caused solely by the drift of thermally generated MINORITY carriers (electrons from p-side and holes from n-side) swept across the depletion layer by the junction field. Therefore, the reverse current is due to minority carriers, not majority carriers.
Statement A is completely correct. Statement B falsely claims the reverse current is due to majority carriers. Therefore, "A is correct but B is incorrect", matching Option (3).
Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.
Incorrect because Statement B is false.
Incorrect because Statement A is true.
Solar cell characteristics reside in the IV quadrant; reverse bias current is mediated by minority carriers.
Completely inverted verdict for both statements.
Students confuse a photodiode (operated in 3rd quadrant under external reverse bias) with a solar cell (operated in 4th quadrant without external bias).
"Solar cells supply power and their I-V curve lies in the fourth quadrant; reverse saturation current in a p-n junction is governed entirely by minority carrier drift."
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