Question

Describe how a semiconductor diode is used as a half-wave rectifier.

Answer 1

In the first phase of current, let the current flow in clockwise direction in the circuit. The diode allows the current to flow through it, so the open points have a current flowing through it.

In the next phase the current flows in ant clockwise direction. the diode acts as infinite resistance and there is no current in the circuit.So, the the open points experience current only in clockwise direction thereby rectifying the wave only half i.e. only in one direction. Notice that the current will still be varying as the original AC current but the second phase is always missing.