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Physics Question 45 – JEE-MAIN 2026

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Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R Assertion A: A diode under reverse-biased condition provides very small current which is nearly independent of voltage until a critical limit at which the current increases drastically. Reason R: Below the critical voltage limit, only majority charge carriers flow which increases drastically above critical voltage. choose the correct answer from the options given below

Recall the behavior of a p-n junction diode when it is reverse-biased.

Step 1: Analyze Assertion A✦ Active

Assertion A states that a diode under reverse-biased condition provides a very small current which is nearly independent of voltage until a critical limit (breakdown voltage) at which the current increases drastically. This statement accurately describes the reverse characteristic of a p-n junction diode. In reverse bias, a small leakage current flows due to minority carriers, which remains almost constant until the breakdown voltage is reached, after which the current increases sharply due to avalanche or Zener breakdown. Thus, Assertion A is TRUE.

Step 2: Analyze Reason R○ Expand

Reason R states that below the critical voltage limit, only majority charge carriers flow which increases drastically above critical voltage. In a reverse-biased diode, the depletion region widens, and majority carriers are pushed away from the junction. The small reverse current is primarily due to the drift of minority charge carriers (electrons from p-side and holes from n-side) across the junction. Therefore, the statement that 'only majority charge carriers flow' below the critical voltage limit is incorrect. While the current does increase drastically above the critical voltage, the reason provided for the flow below the critical voltage is false. Thus, Reason R is FALSE.

Step 3: Conclusion○ Expand

Based on the analysis, Assertion A is true, but Reason R is false. This corresponds to option 3.

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