Technician T6B: Diodes and transistors
These are the 12 official questions in group T6B of the 2026–2030 Technician question pool, with the correct answer marked and a plain-English explanation of why it's right. The real exam asks one question from this group.
- T6B01Question 1
Which is true about forward voltage drop in a diode?
- AIt is lower in some diode types than in others Correct
- BIt is proportional to peak inverse voltage
- CIt indicates that the diode is defective
- DIt has no impact on the voltage delivered to the load
Why: Forward voltage drop depends on the diode type. Schottky diodes, for example, are lower than silicon.
- T6B02Question 2
What electronic component allows current to flow in only one direction?
- AResistor
- BFuse
- CDiode Correct
- DDriven element
Why: A diode lets current flow in only one direction.
- T6B03Question 3
Which of these components can be used as an electronic switch?
- AVaristor
- BPotentiometer
- CTransistor Correct
- DThermistor
Why: A transistor can turn current on and off like a switch.
- T6B04Question 4
Which of the following components can consist of three regions of semiconductor material?
- AAlternator
- BTransistor Correct
- CTriode
- DPentode
Why: A bipolar transistor has three semiconductor regions (NPN or PNP).
- T6B05Question 5
What type of transistor has a gate, drain, and source?
- AVaristor
- BField-effect Correct
- CHall-effect
- DBipolar junction
Why: A field-effect transistor has a gate, drain and source.
- T6B06Question 6
How is the cathode lead of a semiconductor diode often marked on the package?
- AWith the word "cathode"
- BWith a stripe Correct
- CWith the letter C
- DWith the letter K
Why: The cathode end of a diode is usually marked with a stripe.
- T6B07Question 7
What causes a light-emitting diode (LED) to emit light?
- AForward current Correct
- BReverse current
- CCapacitively-coupled RF signal
- DInductively-coupled RF signal
Why: An LED gives off light when forward current flows through it.
- T6B08Question 8
What does the abbreviation FET stand for?
- AFrequency Emission Transmitter
- BFast Electron Transistor
- CFree Electron Transmitter
- DField Effect Transistor Correct
Why: FET stands for Field Effect Transistor.
- T6B09Question 9
What are the names for the electrodes of a diode?
- APlus and minus
- BSource and drain
- CAnode and cathode Correct
- DGate and base
Why: A diode's electrodes are the anode and the cathode.
- T6B10Question 10
Which of the following can provide power gain?
- ATransformer
- BTransistor Correct
- CReactor
- DResistor
Why: A transistor can amplify, which is power gain.
- T6B11Question 11
What does the term gain mean in amplifiers?
- AThe output signal voltage relative to the input signal voltage
- BThe output signal current relative to the input signal current
- CThe output signal power relative to the input signal power
- DAll these choices are correct Correct
Why: Gain means an increase in voltage, current or power, so all the choices are correct.
- T6B12Question 12
What are the names of the electrodes of a bipolar junction transistor?
- ASignal, bias, power
- BEmitter, base, collector Correct
- CInput, output, supply
- DPole one, pole two, output
Why: A bipolar junction transistor's electrodes are the emitter, base and collector.