Lesson: Chapter 11 — Electronics

11.3. The diode and rectification 2 of 4

Alternating and direct current

Direct current flows one way only; alternating current changes direction periodically.

Alternating current

Positive and negative in turn.

What dynamos generate.

Direct current

Steady, one way.

What electronic devices need.

t (cycles)	0.25	0.75	1.25	1.75
V	1	-1	1	-1

t (cycles)	0	2
V	0.7	0.7

Figure 11.10 — an alternating voltage (above) and a direct one (below) against time.

Rectification

Turning an alternating current or voltage into one that flows one way is rectification, and diodes do it because they conduct one way only.