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Question 20212
JEE Physics · Medium

Semiconductors: Drift vs Diffusion Current MCQ

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Drift vs Diffusion CurrentMediumQuestion 20212

Question

Drift current in a semiconductor is caused by:
  1. A
    Concentration gradient of carriers
  2. B
    Applied electric field
    Correct
  3. C
    Temperature gradient
  4. D
    Random thermal motion

Correct answer

Applied electric field

Explanation

Drift current = nqv_d, where v_d is drift velocity due to the applied electric field E. Diffusion current is driven by the concentration gradient (carriers move from high to low concentration). In a p-n junction at equilibrium, drift and diffusion currents balance.

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