Lesson Plan

• Describe the operation of half‑wave and full‑wave rectifier circuits.
• Sketch and compare the input and output waveforms for each type of rectifier.
• Explain how ripple frequency differs between half‑wave and full‑wave rectification and its effect on smoothing.
• Apply the appropriate rectifier configuration to a given DC power‑supply design problem.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Slide deck with circuit diagrams and waveforms
• Breadboard, diodes (1N4001), centre‑tap transformer and bridge rectifier kit
• Oscilloscope or waveform simulation software (e.g., PhET)
• Smoothing capacitor (e.g., 100 µF)
• Student worksheet for sketching and comparison

Begin with a quick demonstration of a household AC plug being converted to a DC output using a simple diode circuit, asking students what they notice about the voltage shape. Recall that they have previously studied sinusoidal AC waveforms and basic diode polarity. Explain that today they will learn to distinguish half‑wave and full‑wave rectification graphically and will be able to predict ripple frequency for smoothing.

1. Do‑now (5'): Students sketch a sine wave and label its positive and negative halves.
2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Explain the concept of rectification, show a half‑wave circuit diagram and its output waveform.
3. Guided practice (10'): Using a simulation, toggle a single diode, observe the output, and record the waveform.
4. Full‑wave demonstration (10'): Present a bridge rectifier circuit, compare its output waveform and discuss the doubled ripple frequency.
5. Collaborative activity (10'): In pairs, students draw input and output waveforms for both rectifier types and complete a comparison table.
6. Check for understanding (5'): Quick Kahoot quiz with two questions on key waveform differences.

Summarise that half‑wave rectification yields one pulse per cycle while full‑wave produces two, doubling the ripple frequency and improving smoothing efficiency. Students write one key difference on an exit ticket. For homework, they design a simple DC supply using either rectifier type and justify their choice.