Question
What is the output waveform of an unfiltered full-wave rectifier connected to a resistive load?
Answer Options
- A) A series of DC pulses at twice the frequency of the AC input
- B) A series of DC pulses at the same frequency as the AC input
- C) A sine wave at half the frequency of the AC input
- D) A steady DC voltage
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
A full-wave rectifier converts both the positive and negative cycles of the AC input into a single-polarity (DC) output. For a 60 \text{ Hz} AC input, the rectifier produces an output pulse for the 0^\circ to 180^\circ phase and another pulse for the 180^\circ to 360^\circ phase.
Because two pulses are generated for every one cycle of the input AC, the resulting output waveform is a series of DC pulses at twice the frequency of the AC input (e.g., 120 \text{ Hz} for a 60 \text{ Hz} line frequency). This higher ripple frequency is easier to filter than the lower frequency ripple of a half-wave rectifier.
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