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.