// LAB 05 · INTERACTIVE
Diode lab: one-way valve & AC to DC rectifier
Flip a diode to block current, then turn AC into smooth DC on a live scope.
⚡ POWERING UP THE LAB…
// HOW IT WORKS
The idea in 30 seconds
- A diode conducts from anode (triangle) to cathode (bar) and blocks the other way.
- A silicon diode drops about 0.7 V when it conducts.
- One diode = half-wave: only the top halves of the AC get through.
- A bridge of four diodes = full-wave; a capacitor then smooths it into steady DC — like in a phone charger.
Watch the lessons
More labs
All labs →LAB · INTERACTIVEResistor colour codeTap the bands, read the value — then beat the decode challenge.LAB · INTERACTIVELED resistor designerPick a supply, an LED and a current — get the right resistor (and see what happens without one).LAB · INTERACTIVEOhm's law playgroundSlide the voltage and resistance, watch the current and power change live.