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CAIE A-Level Physics 21.2.1 Half-Wave and Full-Wave Rectification

Practise recognising and sketching half-wave and full-wave rectified outputs, identifying conduction intervals and differences in ripple.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Physics 9702
Level
A2

Exam points

  • distinguish half-wave and full-wave rectification from their output graphs
  • identify output polarity, frequency or missing half-cycles in rectified waveforms

21.2.1—Distinguish graphically between half-wave and full-wave rectification question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

The output potential difference (p.d.) of an alternating power supply is represented by

V=320sin⁡(100πt)V=320 \sin (100 \pi t)

where V is the p.d. in volts and t is the time in seconds.

The power supply is connected to resistor R and a diode in the circuit shown in Fig. 10.1.

Fig. 10.1

Fig. 10.1

On Fig. 10.2 sketch the variation with time t of the p.d. VRV_{\mathrm{R}} across R from time t=0 to time t=40 mst=40 \mathrm{~ms}.

Fig. 10.2

Fig. 10.2

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