Topic: Analog Circuits
Which is the correct waveform across capacitor in the following circuit?
(The circuit is a half-wave rectifier with a capacitive filter, driven by a 5 Vrms 50 Hz AC source).
- A. Unfiltered half-wave rectified sine wave
- B. Sine wave
- C. Full-wave rectified sine wave
- D. Half-wave rectified signal with exponential capacitor discharge (ripple)
Answer: D. Half-wave rectified signal with exponential capacitor discharge (ripple)
Explanation: The circuit functions as a half wave rectifier with a capacitive filter. During the positive half cycle, the capacitor charges to the peak value. During the negative half cycle, the diode is reverse biased and the capacitor discharges slowly through the load resistor. The resulting waveform shows this characteristic charging and discharging ripple pattern.