Practice question

**Rectifier** converts AC to DC using diode unilateral conduction, half-wave conducts only during positive half-cycle when forward biased, output pulsating DC with frequency equal to input 50 Hz, full-wave with centre-tap uses two diodes conducting alternate half-cycles, output frequency 100 Hz for 50 Hz input, 120 Hz for 60 Hz input, output voltage closer to peak with capacitor filter. A half-wave rectifier outputs only the positive half-cycles of the AC input, producing a pulsating DC voltage without a steady value unless filtered. Substituting values gives Pulsating DC, which matches expected behaviour for this semiconductor device configuration, confirming doping, depletion and rectifier principles.