Difference between revisions of "Diode"
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*For a positive [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] the [[Electrical Current|current]] increases rapidly with an increase in [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] | *For a positive [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] the [[Electrical Current|current]] increases rapidly with an increase in [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] | ||
*For a negative [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] the [[Electrical Current|current]] remains negligible and does not increase as the [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] becomes larger. | *For a negative [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] the [[Electrical Current|current]] remains negligible and does not increase as the [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] becomes larger. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Explanation==== | ||
| + | : The [[Electrical Resistance|resistance]] of a [[diode]] is very low for [[Electrical Current|current]] in the forward direction and very high in the back direction. | ||
Revision as of 15:05, 28 February 2019
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A diode is an electrical component which only allows electricity through in one direction.
About Diodes
- Diodes have a low resistance in one direction but a very high resistance in the reverse direction.
- Diodes can be used to change an alternating current into a direct current.
IV Graph
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Description
The IV Graph for a diode shows that:
- For a positive potential difference the current increases rapidly with an increase in potential difference
- For a negative potential difference the current remains negligible and does not increase as the potential difference becomes larger.
Explanation
- The resistance of a diode is very low for current in the forward direction and very high in the back direction.