Ohm's Law is not directly applicable to determining the current through a zener diode in forward bias. Ohm's Law relates the voltage across a resistor to the current passing through it, and it is specifically applicable to ohmic (linear) resistors. However, a zener diode does not behave like a simple resistor, especially in forward bias.
When a zener diode is forward-biased, it behaves like a regular diode. In forward bias, the diode allows current to flow through it, but the relationship between the voltage across the diode and the current passing through it is not linear and cannot be described solely by Ohm's Law.
For a zener diode in forward bias, you typically analyze its behavior using the diode's forward voltage drop (Vf) and the diode's forward current (If) characteristics. The relationship between voltage and current in a forward-biased diode is described by the diode's I-V curve, which is typically provided in the diode's datasheet.
To determine the current through a zener diode in forward bias, you would need to know the forward voltage applied across the diode (Vf) and then find the corresponding forward current (If) from the I-V curve in the datasheet.
It's important to note that a zener diode is most commonly used in its reverse-biased mode, where it exhibits its unique zener breakdown behavior, and it can be used as a voltage regulator. In the reverse-biased mode, you can apply Ohm's Law when analyzing the current flowing through the zener diode. The current in the reverse-biased zener diode can be approximated by dividing the voltage across the diode (Vz) by the zener diode's reverse resistance (Rz):
Iz = Vz / Rz
Where:
Iz = Reverse current through the zener diode
Vz = Reverse voltage across the zener diode
Rz = Zener diode's reverse resistance
However, when using a zener diode in forward bias, you would typically follow the diode's forward voltage and current characteristics as provided in the datasheet, rather than using Ohm's Law.