Light emitting diodes, commonly called LEDs, are real unsung heroes in theSource
electronics world. They do dozens of different jobs and are found in all kinds
of devices. Among other things, they form the numbers on digital
clocks, transmit information from remote controls,
light up watches and tell you when your appliances are turned on. Collected
together, they can form images on a jumbo television
screen or illuminate a traffic
light.
Basically, LEDs are just tiny light bulbs that fit easily into an
electrical circuit. But unlike ordinary incandescent
bulbs, they don't have a filament that will burn out, and they don't get
especially hot. They are illuminated solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor
material, and they last just as long as a standard transistor.
In this
article, we'll examine the simple principles behind these ubiquitous blinkers,
illuminating some cool principles of electricity and light in the process.
Labels: class work, LED