Sample 1Medium
A circuit shows a centre-tapped transformer whose secondary ends feed two p-n junction diodes, with the diode outputs joined and taken through a load resistor back to the centre tap. The input AC to the primary is 50 Hz. What is the frequency of the ripple in the output across the load?
Show the answer
The answer is C.
This is a full-wave rectifier: each diode conducts on alternate half-cycles, so there are two output pulses per input cycle, giving a ripple frequency of 2 × 50 = 100 Hz.
- A.
The output frequency is doubled, not halved.
- B.
50 Hz is the ripple frequency of a half-wave rectifier, which uses one diode.
- D.
The output is pulsating DC; without a filter it is not steady.
NCERT: Class 12 Physics, Chapter 14