Zener diodes Exp.3

I had to build a circuit on a breadboard containing two resistors of 100 ohm's and 1 5v1 400mW zener diode with a voltage supply of 12V.

The voltage drop through the zener diode was 5.1v , Working like a voltage regulator in the circuit.Whether you were too up the supply voltage to 15v or lower it to 10v the voltage drop would stay the same(5.1v) if you are using the same type of Zd. This circuit could be used to regulate voltage down to a suitable amount of volts you need, for what ever the components need.

R = 100ohms

RL = 100 ohms.

Vs = 12v , 10v , 15v.

Readings:

value of Vz = 4.94v
value of Vz = 4.69v
value of Vz = 5.07v

Then i reversed the polarity on the zener diode, which changed the value of Vz to .84v..this is the forward rated voltage drop of the diode.