What are Light-Emitting Diodes?

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About Light-Emitting Diodes

A diode is an electronic component which has two points of contact, or terminals, called its anode and cathode.
A diode’s primary purpose is to allow current to flow in only one direction.
An LED is a semiconductor device which emits light when electric current flows through it.
It can produce all three primary colours – red, green, and blue – different LEDs can be combined on a display board to produce a large variety of colours.

Advantages of LED

Energy Efficiency: It requires far less electricity to produce the same light as incandescent bulbs. LEDs use approximately 75-80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs
Durability: LED bulbs are highly durable and resistant to shocks, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Instant Illumination: It provides instant illumination without the warm-up period required by incandescent bulbs.
Heat Generation: LED bulbs generate very little heat, making them safer to handle and more efficient in terms of energy utilization.
Environmental Impact: LEDs have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to incandescent. The energy efficiency and longer lifespan result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and less waste.

What are the Applications of LEDs?

LEDs have several applications in industry, consumer electronics, and household appliances: from smartphones to TV screens, from signboards to ‘feeding’ plants light in greenhouses, from barcode scanners to monitoring air quality.

Q1) What is a semiconductor?

It is a substance that has specific electrical properties that enable it to serve as a foundation for computers and other electronic devices. It is typically a solid chemical element or compound that conducts electricity under certain conditions but not others.

Source: What are light-emitting diodes and why are they prized as light sources? | Explained