Question
What portion of the AC cycle is converted to DC by a half-wave rectifier?
Answer Options
- A) 90 degrees
- B) 180 degrees
- C) 270 degrees
- D) 360 degrees
Correct Answer: B
Explanation
A half-wave rectifier uses only one diode, allowing current to flow only when the AC input voltage is of the correct polarity (forward bias). The AC input cycle spans 360^\circ.
Since the diode only conducts during the positive half of the cycle and blocks the negative half, only 180^\circ of the AC cycle is converted to DC. This results in an output waveform that has large gaps, requiring heavy filtering to smooth out the resulting ripple.
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