In a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit using four identical p-n junction diodes, an AC input is applied. During the positive half cycle of the input, two diodes are conducting while the other two are non-conducting. Let W_ cond be the depletion region width of the conducting diodes, W_ non be the depletion region width of the non-conducting diodes, and W₀ be the depletion region width of an identical isolated, uncon

Step-by-step solution

In a full-wave bridge rectifier, the diodes that conduct during a half cycle are forward-biased. Forward biasing opposes the built-in potential, which decreases the width of the depletion region. Therefore, W_ cond The diodes that do not conduct during that half cycle are reverse-biased. Reverse biasing adds to the built-in potential, which increases the width of the depletion region. Therefore, W_ non > W₀ . Combining these inequalities, we get W_ non > W₀ > W_ cond . Answer: W_ non > W₀ > W_ cond