Electrolysis Practice Exam

Which device converts A.C. to D.C.?

1. Rectifier

2. Transformer

3. Oscillator

4. Inductor

The correct answer is: Rectifier

The device that converts alternating current (A.C.) to direct current (D.C.) is a rectifier. Rectifiers work by allowing current to flow only in one direction, effectively converting the oscillating A.C. waveform into a unidirectional D.C. signal. This process typically involves using diodes, which are semiconductor devices that permit current to pass when forward-biased and block it when reverse-biased. In practical applications, rectifiers can be found in power supplies for various electronic devices, where they provide the necessary D.C. voltage for operation. They are critical in applications ranging from small battery chargers to large power distribution systems. The other devices listed serve different purposes: transformers are used to change the voltage level of A.C. signals without changing the frequency, oscillators generate repetitive waveforms (often A.C.), and inductors store energy in a magnetic field when electrical current passes through them, but none of these convert A.C. to D.C. like a rectifier does.