Junction Diode as a Rectifier: The process of conversion of an ac voltage into a dc…

Physics · Class 12 · CBSESemiconductor Electronics

Junction Diode as a Rectifier:
The process of conversion of an ac voltage into a dc voltage is called rectification and the device which performs this conversion is called a rectifier. The characteristics of a p-n junction diode reveal that when a p-n junction diode is forward biased, it offers a low resistance and when it is reverse biased, it offers a high resistance. Hence, a p-n junction diode conducts only when it is forward biased. This property of a p-n junction diode makes it suitable for its use as a rectifier.
Thus, when an ac voltage is applied across a p-n junction, it conducts only during those alternate half cycles for which it is forward biased. A rectifier which rectifies only half cycle of an ac voltage is called a half-wave rectifier and one that rectifies both the half cycles is known as a full-wave rectifier.


In a full-wave rectifier, the current in each of the diodes flows for:

  1. Complete cycle of the input signal
  2. Half cycle of the input signal
  3. Less than half cycle of the input signal
  4. Only for the positive half cycle of the input signal

Answer

(B) Half cycle of the input signal

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