Class 12 Physics simulations · Semiconductor Electronics

Rectifier with a smoothing capacitor

Add a reservoir capacitor after a rectifier. It charges at each peak and slowly discharges into the load.

Open the simulation

What to notice

A bigger capacitor or a lighter load (larger R) gives smoother DC.

Key relation

Ripple V_r ≈ I / (f_r C), f_r = f (half-wave) or 2f (full-wave)

Try this

Switch from half-wave to full-wave with the same capacitor.

What you can change

• Rectifier: choose Half-wave, Full-wave bridge
• Peak voltage: 5 to 20 V
• Capacitance: 10 to 2200 μF
• Load resistance: 50 to 2000 Ω
• Mains frequency: 50 to 60 Hz

More in Semiconductor Electronics

• Electrons and holes in doped silicon
• P–N junction diode
• Diode I–V characteristic
• LED colour and band gap
• Logic gates
• Half-wave rectifier
• Solar cell: I–V curve and maximum power
• Transistor as a switch
• Zener voltage regulator

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