Circuit Forward characteristic Reverse characteristic
A V A + _ d.c. voltage supply Ammeter Voltmeter Diode previous next smart
Potential Difference (volts) Current (m A) A V mA 0.0V 0mA 0.2V0.4V0.5V0.6V0.7V mA38mA 120 mA + _ Current (I) in Amps p.d. (V) in volts
P.D. (V) in volts previous next smart Lots of current flows because the diode has a low resistance when it is connected this way
Potential Difference (volts) Current (m A) P.D. (V) In volts A V 0mA 0.0V -0.2 V -0.4 V -0.5 V -0.6 V -0.7 V +_ No current flows because the diode has a very high resistance when it is connected the wrong way round
Forward characteristic Reverse characteristic Current (I) in mA p.d. (V) in volts previous next smart