Editing Diode (section)

=== Unidirectional current flow ===
The most common function of a diode is to allow an electric current to pass in one direction (called the diode's ''forward'' direction), while blocking it in the opposite direction (the ''reverse'' direction). Its [[hydraulic analogy]] is a [[check valve]]. This unidirectional behavior can convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), a process called [[rectification (electricity)|rectification]]. As rectifiers, diodes can be used for such tasks as extracting [[modulation]] from [[radio signal]]s in [[radio receiver]]s.