FUN DAMENTALS FOR THE BEGINNER
HOW A DIODE WORKS
A diode is a device that will let electrons flow
through it in only one direction. This is very
useful in electronic circuits to keep electrons
from flowing where they’re not supposed to.
Diodes are also used in logic circuits in
computers.
Pictorial Diagram
These experiments
are provided
by GSSTechEd.
www.gssteched.com
You can order parts for this
experiment from their
website as follows:
220 ohms
Power Diode
LED
Battery Snap
1. Build the Circuit.
Using the schematic along with the pictorial
diagram, place the components on a solderless
breadboard as shown. Verify that your wiring is
correct.
2. Do the Experiment.
Theory: In this simple electronic circuit, the
electrons flow from the battery through the diode,
the resistor, the LED, and back to the battery.
Procedure: Connect a nine-volt battery to the
battery snap and observe that the LED is lit,
showing that current is flowing in the circuit. Now,
take the diode out of the breadboard and put it
back in with the color band on the opposite end.
The LED will not light up.
The LED will only light up when the side on
the diode with the color band is connected to the
negative terminal of the battery.
GK01049
GK30001
GK06001
GK35002
Schematic
red +
- black
A kit for these experiments can be
purchased from the Nuts & Volts
Webstore at www.nutsvolts.com or
call us at 800-783-4624.
anode
cathode
Order online at:
www.melabs.com
Development Tools for PIC® MCUs
microEngineering Labs, Inc.
Phone: (719) 520-5323
Fax: (719) 520-1867
Box 60039
Colorado Springs, CO 80960
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PICBASIC P
E
W
B
S
B
P
With Accessories for $119.95:
64
July 2010
