AMU 2026 — science PYQ
AMU | science | 2026Which statement about phase shift in a common-emitter amplifier is correct?

Which statement about phase shift in a common-emitter amplifier is correct?
Output is in phase with input
Output leads input by 90∘
Output is 180∘ out of phase with input
(Correct Answer)Phase shift depends only on Rc
Output is 180∘ out of phase with input
In a Common-Emitter configuration, the AC input signal is applied between the base and the emitter, and the amplified output signal is taken from the collector with respect to the emitter.
The relationship between the input voltage (Vin) and the output collector voltage (Vout) can be analyzed dynamically by tracing the path of the current through the circuit loops:
Positive Half-Cycle of Input: When the input voltage rises in the positive direction, it increases the forward bias voltage across the base-emitter junction. This increase in base-emitter voltage drives a larger base current (Ib). Since the collector current is directly proportional to the base current (Ic=βIb), the collector current (Ic) also rises.
Voltage Drop across the Collector Resistor (Rc):
The output voltage at the collector terminal is determined by Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) applied across the collector-emitter loop:
Vout=Vcc−IcRc
As Ic increases during the positive half-cycle of the input, the voltage drop across the collector resistor (IcRc) increases. Because this larger drop is subtracted from the fixed DC supply voltage (Vcc), the net output voltage at the collector terminal (Vout) drops, pulling the output signal into its negative half-cycle.
Negative Half-Cycle of Input:
Conversely, when the input voltage goes negative, the base-emitter forward bias reduces, decreasing both Ib and Ic. A smaller Ic reduces the voltage drop across Rc, which causes the net output voltage (Vout=Vcc−IcRc) to rise toward the supply level, driving the output signal into its positive half-cycle.
Because a positive-going input creates a negative-going output, and a negative-going input creates a positive-going output, the output signal is an exact inverted replica of the input signal. This structural inversion represents a phase inversion or a phase shift of exactly 180°.
The correct option is (c) Output is 180∘ out of phase with input.
In a Common-Emitter configuration, the AC input signal is applied between the base and the emitter, and the amplified output signal is taken from the collector with respect to the emitter.
The relationship between the input voltage (Vin) and the output collector voltage (Vout) can be analyzed dynamically by tracing the path of the current through the circuit loops:
Positive Half-Cycle of Input: When the input voltage rises in the positive direction, it increases the forward bias voltage across the base-emitter junction. This increase in base-emitter voltage drives a larger base current (Ib). Since the collector current is directly proportional to the base current (Ic=βIb), the collector current (Ic) also rises.
Voltage Drop across the Collector Resistor (Rc):
The output voltage at the collector terminal is determined by Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) applied across the collector-emitter loop:
Vout=Vcc−IcRc
As Ic increases during the positive half-cycle of the input, the voltage drop across the collector resistor (IcRc) increases. Because this larger drop is subtracted from the fixed DC supply voltage (Vcc), the net output voltage at the collector terminal (Vout) drops, pulling the output signal into its negative half-cycle.
Negative Half-Cycle of Input:
Conversely, when the input voltage goes negative, the base-emitter forward bias reduces, decreasing both Ib and Ic. A smaller Ic reduces the voltage drop across Rc, which causes the net output voltage (Vout=Vcc−IcRc) to rise toward the supply level, driving the output signal into its positive half-cycle.
Because a positive-going input creates a negative-going output, and a negative-going input creates a positive-going output, the output signal is an exact inverted replica of the input signal. This structural inversion represents a phase inversion or a phase shift of exactly 180°.
The correct option is (c) Output is 180∘ out of phase with input.