21.2.2—The use of a single diode for the half-wave rectification of an alternating
- Syllabus
- 9702–2028–2029
- Objective
- 21.2.2
- Level
- A2
A single diode performs half-wave rectification by passing one polarity half-cycle
A diode conducts mainly in forward bias and blocks reverse bias, so one diode passes only one half-cycle of an AC input.
Read diode orientation and output polarity, then identify the gaps in the load voltage waveform.
A positive half-wave output has pulses separated by zero-voltage intervals during the negative input half-cycle.
A diode does not convert AC directly into smooth DC; the output is pulsating and needs smoothing.
ConceptA-Level CAIE Physics A2