PURPOSE: To illustrate resistive properties of resistors and diodes.
DESCRIPTION: A signal generator is used as the source of AC current feeding a series circuit with a shunt resistor and one other "test" circuit component, which can be either a resistor or a diode. The current is displayed on the vertical axis of the oscilloscope as the voltage across a shunt resistor. The voltage across the second element (the element under study) is displayed on the horizontal axis. As seen below, the resistor is a linear or "ohmic" device, but the diode is non-ohmic. The breakdown potential of the diode can be observed.
SUGGESTIONS:
EQUIPMENT: Oscillator, shunt resistor, test resistor and diode, oscilloscope with scope/TV cart.
SETUP TIME: 10 min.
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