Diodes conduct current primarily under which condition?

Diodes conduct current primarily under which condition?

• A. Diodes block current
• B. Diodes require no bias
• C. Diodes conduct
• D. Diodes amplify signals

Answer: (C)

Diodes conduct when they are forward-biased: the anode is more positive than the cathode, which lowers the built-in barrier of the p–n junction and allows charge carriers to cross, producing current. In practice, silicon diodes begin to conduct noticeably around 0.6–0.7 V, and the current increases with further forward voltage. In reverse bias they block current (save for a tiny leakage), and diodes are not used primarily to amplify signals. So the condition that best describes diodes is that they conduct when forward-biased.

Diodes conduct when they are forward-biased: the anode is more positive than the cathode, which lowers the built-in barrier of the p–n junction and allows charge carriers to cross, producing current. In practice, silicon diodes begin to conduct noticeably around 0.6–0.7 V, and the current increases with further forward voltage. In reverse bias they block current (save for a tiny leakage), and diodes are not used primarily to amplify signals. So the condition that best describes diodes is that they conduct when forward-biased.