Extra exam question E7H12
Subelement E7, PRACTICAL CIRCUITS· Group E7H
Which of the following ensures that a crystal oscillator operates on the frequency specified by the crystal manufacturer?
- A.Provide the crystal with a specified parallel inductance
- B.Provide the crystal with a specified parallel capacitance (correct answer)
- C.Bias the crystal at a specified voltage
- D.Bias the crystal at a specified current
WhyProviding a crystal with a specified parallel capacitance ensures a crystal oscillator operates on the frequency specified by the manufacturer. Providing a crystal with the specific parallel (load) capacitance the manufacturer specified ensures the crystal oscillates at exactly the frequency printed on its label, since a crystal's actual resonant frequency shifts slightly depending on the external capacitance loading it, answer B. Parallel inductance, and biasing at a specified voltage or current, aren't the parameter crystal manufacturers specify and rely on to guarantee the marked frequency.
Published 2026-08-28 · Last updated 2026-08-28 · Question text is verbatim from the 2024-2028 NCVEC Element 4 pool (public domain); the explanation above is original writing, see our methodology.