Diode
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
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.
Obtaining the IV Graph
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References
AQA
- Diode, pages 52-3, 65, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Diodes, page 43, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA
- Diodes, pages 180, 181, 183, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Diodes, pages 24, 26, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Diodes, pages 293, 298, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA
- Diodes, pages 52-53, 57, GCSE Physics; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Diodes, pages 60, 66, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA
- Diodes, pages 62, 68, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA
- Diodes; circuit symbol, page 38, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA
Edexcel
- Diodes, page 148, GCSE Physics, Pearson Edexcel
- Diodes, page 229, GCSE Physics, CGP, Edexcel
- Diodes, page 388, GCSE Combined Science, Pearson Edexcel