Question 5.214: Why do we say that diodes have a high resistance in the reve......

A diode only blocks current in the reverse direction (i.e. when it is reverse biased) while the reverse voltage is within a specified range. Above this range, the reverse barrier breaks. The voltage at which this breakdown occurs is called the “reverse breakdown voltage”. When the voltage of the circuit is higher than the reverse breakdown voltage, the diode can conduct electricity in the reverse direction (i.e. the “high resistance” direction). This is the reason that diodes have a high resistance in the reverse direction, not an infinite resistance.