This activity demonstrates a practical use for the one-way route for current offered by diodes. Circuits, with LEDs to make the current flow clearer, show how diodes with an a.c. supply can be used to run a motor. The students see the effect of full wave rectification on a sine wave input.

This item teaches:

• about the flow of current through a diode
• about the applications of diodes
• about the use of diodes to convert an alernating current to a direct current
• about the effect of full-wave rectification on a sine wave input
• about the use of rectifiers to convert alternating current to direct current