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Difficulty: EasyDirect Current (DC) vs. Alternating Current (AC)

A benchtop power supply plugged into a 120 V120\text{ V} household wall outlet provides a steady +12 V+12\text{ V} direct current (DC) output to test an electronic device. Which internal circuit is responsible for converting the incoming alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC)?

  1. A
    Inverter
  2. RectifierAnswer
  3. C
    Step-up transformer
  4. D
    Alternator

Answer

A rectifier is the electronic circuit responsible for converting alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC).
A rectifier contains diodes that restrict electron flow to a single direction. When AC voltage alternates polarity, the rectifier routes the current unidirectionally, turning alternating current into direct current.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the electrical input type and the required electrical output type.
The input from the wall outlet is alternating current (AC), and the required output for the device is direct current (DC).
Determining the directionality and waveform of the power source dictates the specific conversion device needed.
2
Match the conversion requirement to the corresponding electronic device function.
A rectifier circuit uses semiconductor diodes to force current to flow in only one direction, converting bidirectional AC into unidirectional DC.
Rectification is the fundamental electrical process for producing DC from an AC source.

Key Concept

Conversion of AC to DC via Rectification
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Topics

Direct Current (DC) vs. Alternating Current (AC)

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