The 60 cycle alternating electric current (AC) changes direction 120 times per second. In one-second time period a terminal at an electric outlet is positive 60 times as well as negative 60 times. In a direct electric current (DC), the flow between terminals is in one direction only. A rectifier is a device that converts alternating to direct current. One type of rectifier is the p-n junction rectifier. It is usually incorporated in adapters required to operate electronic devices from ordinary house current. In the operation of this rectifier, a p-type semi-conductor as well as an-type semiconductor are in contact connected to one of the terminals in an AC electrical outlet.
Explain how this rectifier works. That is, show that when the semiconductors are connected to the terminals in an AC outlet, half the time a large flow of charge occurs and half the time essentially no charge flows across the p-n junction