What is an LED. An LED is a small chip that gives out light when an electric current passes through it.

LED

A LED.

A lightbulb made up of many LEDs.

LED stands for light-emitting diode. A diode is a small 'chip' in a circuit. When an electric current passes through it, it gives out light but very little heat.

The diode can be placed in a curved transparent plastic container which protects it and is also shaped to act as a lens (top diagram), or it can be placed inside a glass bulb as part of a pattern of light when direction is not important (bottom picture).

Video: LED lights.

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LED