Worksheet 22-Diode Operation and Configurations

Question 1

What is the process of an AC signal when it passes a diode?

Answer 1

When AC current is passed through a diode, it rectifies the voltage.

Question 2

What doped material made up the anode and the cathode segments of a diode?

Answer 2

The anode is made up of P-type material and the cathode is made up of N-type material.

Question 3

When looking at the physical diode, how do you determine the cathode end?

Answer 3

The diode is marked on the cathode side with a stripe or bar.

Question 4

How much forward bias is normally required to get a P-N silicon diode to conduct current?

Answer 4

A silicon diode takes about 0.7 volts of forward bias to begin conducting current.

Question 5

What is the condition a diode is in when current is forced against the anode?

Answer 5

The diode will block the reverse biased current until it reaches the breakdown voltage.

Question 6

Can a standard silicon diode operate past breakdown voltage for extended lengths of time?

Answer 6

No, a silicon diode will heat up and fracture or fail when in reverse bias for too long.

Question 7

What is a very common use for diodes in electrical circuits?

Answer 7

Diodes are used in AM radio signals to help in receiving the audio. They are also used in circuits to rectify AC signal into DC voltage to drive a speaker.

Question 8

With an input voltage of 5VAC, what is the RMS voltage of the signal past the diode?

Answer 8

5VAC - 0.7VAC = 4.3V_PEAK

4.3V_PEAK x 0.707 = 3V_RMS