Lesson Diode Exercises
Lesson Diode Exercises
Question 1
Draw the symbol for a diode, an LED and a zener diode
Question 2
What do the following terms mean when applied to diodes
a) Reverse bias
b) Forward bias
c) Anode
d) Cathode
e) Zener voltage
Question 3
State and explain three uses for a regular silicon diode
Question 4
An LED has a forward voltage of 2.5 volts and requires a current of 15 mA to operate
Question 5
A 5.1 V zener diode in series with a 33 Ω resistor is connected to a D.C. power supply that
varies between 9 V and 10 V.
Question 2
a) Reverse bias: Connected so that current does not flow
b) Forward bias: Connected so that current can flow (given sufficient voltage)
c) Anode: The anode is connected to the positive side of the battery to make current
flow through the diode. Current flows from the anode, through the diode and out of
the cathode
d) Cathode. The cathode is connected to the negative side of the battery when current
flows through the diode
Question 3
1. Preventing current flow in one direction, for instance in logic circuits
2. Protecting devices such as bipolar transistors and MOSFETs when they are used
with an inductive load (one that contains a coil)
Question 4
Voltage drop across resistor: 15 − 2.5 = 12.5 V
Therefore the minimum power rating of the zener diode is about 0.8 W