A diode is composed of an N-type semiconductor joined with a P-type semiconductor. The N-type semiconductor is the negative end of the diode and is called the "cathode". The P-type semiconductor is the positive end of the diode, and is called the "anode". If the positive side of a voltage source is connected to the positive end of the diode (the anode), and the negative side is connected to the negative end of the diode (the cathode), the diode will conduct current. If the diode is reversed, the current is blocked (up to a limit). Diodes are indicated on schematics by a symbol (|) that shows how the diode should be installed. An arrow points at a vertical bar, which has a line continuing out of it. The arrow indicates the positive side of the diode, while the vertical bar indicates the negative side. You can think of it as the positive side flowing into the negative side, with the arrow indicating the direction of the flow. If the diode doesn't have the schematic symbol printed on it, look for the ring, band, or line printed on the diode. Most diodes will have a large colored band printed near the negative side (cathode) of the diode. The band will go all the way around the diode. An LED is a light-emitting diode, and you can usually tell which side is positive by examining the legs. The longer leg is the positive, anode pin. If the pins have been trimmed, examine the outer casing of the LED. The pin nearest to the flat edge is the negative, cathode pin.

Summary: Understand how a diode functions. Learn what the diode schematic symbol means. Look for the large band. Identify the positive end of an LED.

An average college student can read between 200 and 300 words per minute (wpm) if they are reading fiction and non-technical materials. A strong reader can read 500-700 wpm and an excellent reader can read 1000 wpm. This means the average reader may be five times slower than a good reader and ten times slower than an excellent reader. Improving your reading speed if you are an average or even a good reader means you will need to try several techniques for speeding up your reading rate and be willing to practice improving your reading rate for a consistent period of time. Though your reading speed may fluctuate based on the type of text used and your level of familiarity with the reading material, in general: A poor reader has a wpm rate of 100-110 words. An average reader has a wpm rate of 200-240 wpm. A good reader has a wpm rate of 300-400 wpm. An excellent reader has a wpm rate of 700-1000 wpm. Keep in mind ESL readers may struggle to maintain more than 200-300 wpm when reading a text that is not in their native tongue. Many educators argue that ESL readers should try to maintain a slower reading rate to ensure they can comprehend the text. Being a faster reader does not necessarily mean you will be able to comprehend the finer details or points in the text. In fact, your ability to comprehend a text may decrease as your reading speed increases. Less-commonly known words or longer words take longer to read and comprehend. Speeding through the text may cause you to skip over key words and your understanding of the text may start to fade. Many linguistic experts argue that it's important to improve your vocabulary and broaden your exposure to many different types of texts, in addition to improving your reading speed. This will ensure your reading comprehension rate stays at the same level or improves along with your reading speed. Determine your reading speed using a practice text and a timer. Use a text that is at least five to ten pages long on standard 8" x 11" paper. Count the number of words in five lines of the practice text. Divide this number of words by five and you will have the average number of words per line in the text. For example: 70 words/5 lines = 14 words per line. Count the number of text lines on five pages of the text and divide this number by five to determine the average number of lines per page. Then, multiply the average number of lines per page by the average number of words per line and you will get the average number of words per page. For example: 195 lines/5 pages = 39 lines per page. 39 lines per page x 14 words per line = 546 words per page. Once you have the average words per line and words per page, time yourself reading the text for one minute. Try to read as fast as possible, but also make sure you understand the idea or point in each sentence. After one minute, stop reading and count how many lines you read in one minute. Multiply the number of lines you read by the average words per line to determine your words per minute rate. For example: You managed to read 26 lines in one minute. 26 x 14 words per line = 364 words per minute. Your wpm rate is 364 words per minute, which means you are considered a good reader.

Summary: Understand the average reading speeds for adults. Be aware of the relationship between your reading speed and your reading comprehension rate. Test your reading speed.

Transfer the food to a saucepan and add cup (59 ml) of water to prevent the food from scorching. Turn the heat to medium and put on a lid. Stir regularly as the food heats up. Depending on how much food you have, reheating could take about 20 minutes. Ideal foods to reheat in this way include soups, stews, liquids, beverages, and chili. For beverages, avoid adding additional water. Add a tablespoon (15 ml) of cooking oil or butter to a skillet or cast iron pan. Heat the skillet over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add your food. Cook for about five minutes, and then use a spatula to flip the food. Cook for another five minutes, or until it's heated through. This method is ideal for noodles, pasta, rice, or other grains. You can also use this method with beans. Frying in a bit of oil will make the noodles or rice slightly crispy. Another way to reheat rice and other grains is in a pot with some extra water. The water will add moisture back to the grains, and will bring the grains back to their original consistency. Pour the grains into a pot with cup (118 ml) of water or broth. Heat the grains on medium until warmed through. As the grains cook, stir them every five minutes to ensure even heating. Turning on the oven for a slice of pizza is a waste of energy, and you can actually get a crispier crust by pan frying. Heat a dry cast iron pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the pizza and place a lid over the pan. Heat the pizza for three to four minutes, until it's hot and the cheese is gooey. Add a tablespoon (15 ml) of oil or butter to a skillet, wok, or cast iron pan. Heat the oil over medium heat. When the oil starts to shimmer, add your meat or stir fry and turn the heat to low. Cook and stir regularly for 10 to 15 minutes, until the dish is warmed through.
Summary: Heat liquids and saucy foods in a saucepan. Pan fry rice and noodles. Reheat grains with extra water. Crisp up pizza slices in a skillet. Warm up meat and stir fries in a pan.