Physics - Semiconductors Question with Solution | TestHub

When an alternating voltage is applied across a diode in series with a load resistance, the circuit acts as a half-wave rectifier.

During the positive half-cycle of the input a.c. voltage, the diode is forward-biased and conducts current.

During the negative half-cycle, the diode is reverse-biased and does not conduct current.

As a result, the current flows through the load resistance in only one direction, but its magnitude varies with time.

Thus, the voltage across the load resistance is unidirectional and pulsating in nature. Therefore, a pulsating voltage appears across the load.

Answer: a pulsating voltage appears across load