What is one primary use of diodes in electrical applications?

Diodes play a crucial role in the rectification of current, which is one of their primary applications. Rectification is the process of converting alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). Diodes allow current to flow in only one direction, which means they can effectively block the reverse flow of current. This property is utilized in power supply circuits to ensure that the output is a steady DC voltage, which many electronic devices require for proper operation.

In practical terms, during the positive half-cycle of an AC signal, the diode becomes forward-biased, allowing current to pass through. During the negative half-cycle, the diode becomes reverse-biased and does not conduct, effectively "clipping" the negative portion of the AC waveform. The result is a pulsed DC signal, often smoothed further by capacitors to create a more stable DC output.

While diodes can serve other functions in circuits, such as in signal modulation, energy storage, and voltage regulation applications, their defining and most common use in electrical engineering is in the rectification process. This importance in converting AC to usable DC makes them fundamental components in various electronic devices and systems.