The Basic lessons · Circuit components · B-004-002

Diodes: One-Way Valves and Signal Detectors

This lesson explains how diodes act as one-way valves for electricity, protecting equipment and converting signals. You will learn the names of diode parts, how they turn alternating current into direct current, and why special types like Zeners and LEDs are useful.

This lesson is part of SignalPrep Pro. The subsection's 10 exam questions are free to practise: practise B-004-002.

What this subsection asks

• A diode is in series in the positive power lead to a transceiver. What is its purpose?
• One important application for diodes is recovering information from transmitted signals. This is referred to as:
• The primary purpose of a Zener diode is to:
• The action of changing alternating current to direct current is called:
• The electrodes of a semiconductor diode are known as:
• If alternating current is applied to the anode of a diode, what would you expect to see at the cathode?
• In a semiconductor diode, electrons flow from:
• What semiconductor device glows different colours, depending upon its chemical composition?
• Which property of a semiconductor diode permits its use for reverse-polarity protection?
• In order for a diode to conduct, it must be: