2007-06-02 03:10:14 · 7 answers · asked by kristomaica 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
A diode is a semi conductor that allows current flow in one direction only.
2007-06-02 03:14:17 · answer #1 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A diode is a specialized electronic component which allows an electric current to flow in one direction, but blocks it in the opposite direction.
It is composed of two electrodes called the anode and the cathode. Most diodes are made with semiconductor materials such as silicon, germanium, or selenium. Some diodes are comprised of metal electrodes in a chamber evacuated or filled with a pure elemental gas at low pressure.
Diodes can be used as rectifiers, signal limiters, voltage regulators, switches, signal modulators, signal mixers, signal demodulators, and oscillators.
2007-06-02 11:03:43 · answer #2 · answered by mak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consider it a one way valve for electricity. Here is a bigger summary;
In electronics, a diode is a component that restricts the direction of flow of charge carriers. Essentially, it allows an electric current to flow in one direction, but blocks it in the opposite direction. Thus, the diode can be thought of as an electronic version of a check valve. Circuits that require current flow in only one direction typically include one or more diodes in the circuit design.
2007-06-02 10:15:59 · answer #3 · answered by eric l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 'diode' is any device which allows current to pass in only one direction. There are some special-purpose diodes (PIN modulators, varacters, tunnel diodes, Zener diodes, etc.) which have certain parameters and characteristics optimized for special purposes, but they're still diodes in the sense that they only allow current to pass in a single direction.
Doug
2007-06-02 10:15:53 · answer #4 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It`s a semiconductor device that has 2 terminals (anode and cathode) also called P-N junction it permits the current to flow in only 1 direction it runs in 2 modes forward and reverse bias mode , it permits the current flow in forward bias , after passing a threshold voltage (like 0.7 in silicon) ,and in reverse mode it does not permit current flow also it has a voltage called avalanche voltage in which its the maximum reverse voltage applied on diode before u burn it up
2007-06-02 12:28:08 · answer #5 · answered by Viper83 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is a "semiconductor device" in which current can only flow in one direction. Some give off light,
LEDs, "light emitting diodes."
2007-06-02 10:16:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
[noun] an electron tube with two electrodes. a semiconductor with two terminals used as a rectifier
2007-06-02 10:16:20 · answer #7 · answered by TOMTHEBOMB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋