What is a diode used for in physics?

Answer 1

A diode is used to control current flow in a circuit

A diode has a very high resistance to current flow in one direction and a very low resistance to current flow in the opposite direction

Answer 2

diodes are used for many many applications. Type this same question into Google. One popular example of a diode is L.E.D's. Little bright lights, you see on billboards and on some newer cars for headlights and on moving word boards. Remember that LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. Which means that current can only pass from one end to the other and not the other way.

a diode only alows current to flow in one direction so they are very usefull in converting a/c (alternating current) to d/c (direct current).This is done by arranging multiple diodes to form a bridge rectifier.All electricity generated by alternators generators and household electricity is a/c. Batterys are d/c and require d/c current to recharge them (eg.car battery) so in order for your car to charge its battery the alternator has a bridge rectifier fitted to it

so do battery chargers for cars/mobile phones/battery power tools etc

also a lot of welding machines require d/c current because the current used for welding is so high from 80amps to 400amps for most machines,these welders use very large bridge rectifiers

Answer 3

Diodes are used to isolate circuits. They only allow current to flow in one direction. There are other applications also, such as LED's (Light Emitting Diode)

ANSWER: They rectify current , they can be used as clamps or voltage limiters they can be used as logic gates and more. THEY DO NOT ISOLATE as implied.

They may also be used as mixers in radio transmitters and receivers.

---

Actually, diodes can be used to isolate voltages a bit. For instance, if a device is being fed by two power supplies, diodes can help prevent voltage from attempting to charge the other power source. In terms of switching power supplies, two diodes can be used to prevent them from "fighting" one another if the voltages are a tad off.

Answer 4

The strict meaning of the word 'diode' means a device with two poles or electrodes.
The common meaning, is a component used as a rectifier, allowing electron flow in one direction only.
This can be in many forms, usually thermionic (tube) or semiconductor.

A semiconductor diode uses a junction of two types of semiconductor material, usually silicon or germanium. One type has a surplus of free electrons and the other a deficit, known as 'P' type and 'N' type.
At the junction, a barrier of electrons is formed, when reverse biased. allowing flow in one direction only, thus forming a rectifier.
If the voltage is cranked up in the reverse flow direction a point is reached where barrier collapses and allows flow in opposite direction, but this usually destroys the diode. Some are made to exploit this collapse at a prescribed voltage without damage and are known as 'Zener' diodes, used for voltage regulation.

Answer 5

Diodes are electronic components with a variety of applications, depending on their concrete design and principle. A free-wheeling diode, for example, is used to allow current to flow only in one direction within an electrical circuit. There are other types of diodes like laser diodes, light emitting diodes (LEDs), photo diodes, tunnel diodes and many others.

Answer 6

A diode is an electrical device that permits an electrical current to flow through it, end to end in both directions. The flow of electricity will always be greater in one direction than the other. Diodes are used as a form of protection in circuit valves.

Answer 7

diodes are to let a current flow in one direction and not the other

Answer 8

You use Diodes to protect against back EMF on relays or to stop current flowing in both directions in a circuit.