A Zener diode differs from a regular diode in that:

Solution

A Zener diode is specifically designed to operate in the reverse breakdown region without damage. Unlike regular diodes, which get damaged when reverse biased beyond a certain point, Zener diodes are constructed to maintain a nearly constant voltage across them once the breakdown voltage is reached. This unique characteristic makes them ideal for voltage regulation applications, where a stable output voltage is needed despite fluctuations in load current or input voltage.