Question

In connection with the circuit drawn below (assuming a Zener diode circuit with $V_z=10V$, $R_s=500\Omega$, $R_L=2k\Omega$, $V_{in}=15V$), the value of current flowing through 2 kΩ resistor is _________ × 10⁻⁴ A. 

Hint:

[Image of a Zener diode voltage regulator circuit] Always check if the input voltage is high enough to "turn on" the Zener. If $V_{in} \frac{R_L}{R_s + R_L}>V_z$, the diode is in the breakdown region and the voltage is regulated.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 25

Step 1: In a Zener voltage regulator, the voltage across the load $R_L$ is the Zener voltage $V_z$, provided $V_{in}$ is sufficient.
Step 2: $V_L = V_z = 10$ V.
Step 3: Current through load $I_L = \frac{V_L}{R_L} = \frac{10}{2000} = 0.005$ A.
Step 4: $0.005$ A $= 50 \times 10^{-4}$ A.