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ASVAB · Components and Devices

What does a diode do in an electronic circuit?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Allows current to flow in only one direction

  1. A Generates voltage
  2. B Stores energy
  3. C Increases resistance
  4. D Allows current to flow in only one direction

Why this is the answer

A diode allows current to flow in only one direction and blocks it in the reverse direction, acting like a one-way valve for electricity. This property makes diodes useful for converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) in a process called rectification. A light-emitting diode (LED) is a special diode that emits light when current flows through it in the forward direction. Distinguishing the diode's one-way behavior from a resistor (limits current both ways) or a capacitor (stores charge) is common on the Electronics subtest.
Source: ASVAB Electronics Information — Diodes

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About this topic: Components and Devices

Components and devices questions cover what resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, transformers, fuses and switches do, and their schematic symbols. Recognising a symbol and naming its job is most of the section. This is one of 19 Electronics Information questions on components and devices, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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