Question 3
- State:
- three electronic components that can be fabricated to form an integrated circuit;
- four advantages of integrated circuit over combined discrete circuits.
- Draw the circuit diagram of an npn transistor in common emitter configuration.
Observation
The expected responses were:
(a) (i) Electronic components that feature in Integrated Circuits include:
- capacitors;
- inductors;
- resistors;
- diodes;
- transistors;
- relays;
- quartz crystals.
(ii) Advantages of ICs over combined discrete circuits
- Smaller size
- Lower power consumption
- Faster operating speed
- Better reliability
- Lighter weight
- Ease of replacement
(b) A circuit diagram for an npn transistor in common emitter configuration
Question 3 required candidates to recall some facts about integrated circuits and give the circuit diagram of a transistor with some conditions. The Chief Examiner reported that the question seemed to be the most popular among the candidates and majority of those that attempted it responded well to the first task while only a few responded reasonably well to the second.