Wave Shaping Circuits

A process of changing the shape of any waveform is called waveshaping. The wave shaping
process is possible with the help of elements such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes
and transistors etc. Wave shaping circuits are made by connecting elements in series. The
basic purpose of these shaping circuits are to change the shape of any input pulse according
to the time period at output.

In the case of RC time constant, we will define that a fixed or constant time period a
capacitor takes to charge 63.2 percent voltage. But the complete charging upto 100% will be
complete after 5 time constant. In the case of L/R time constant, we can simply understand
that an inductor takes 1 L/R time constant to complete the current change upto 63.2%. The
only difference between RC v.s R/L time constant is just a concept of current and voltage.

1. The wave shaping elements are ___________.

a. Resistor
b. Capacitor
c. Diode
d. all are correct

Answer: d

2. RC, RL wave shaping circuits are used in the electronics devices/circuits for
________________.

a. repairing
b. efficiency
c. increasing frequency
d. all are correct

Answer: b

3. The names of wave shaping circuits are______________.

a. series RC
b. series RL
c. series RCL
d. all are correct
Answer: d

4. RL circuit is used as _____________ for mathematical operation.

a. Integrator
b. Differentiator
Answer: a
5. RL integrator circuits are used to produce ___________ pulses at output.
 a. sharp
b. narrow
c. linear
d. all are correct
Answer: c
6. A process of changing any waveform/signal linearly is called _________ wave
shaping.

a. linear
b. nonlinear
c. positive
d. negative
Answer: a

7. Linear wave shaping includes linear devices such as ______________.

a. resistor
b. capacitor
c. inductor
d. all are correct
Answer: d

8. Nonlinear devices such as Diode, Transistors are used in the non-linear wave shaping
circuits.
True / False

Answer: True

9. The time constant is the time required to change upto ________ percent voltage
through capacitor and current through inductor. .
a. 62.3
b. 63.2
c. 64.3
d. 63.4
Answer: b

10. The formula used to calculate the time constant in inductive circuit is ___________.

a. RC
b. L/R
c. R/C
d. LC/R
Answer: b

11. The energy stored in the magnetic field is______________________.

a. E = 64 × 10-4 J
b. E = 1/2 LCR
c. E = 1/2 LI2
 d. a & c are correct
Answer: d

12. When the voltage across the capacitor and current across the inductor becomes
equal to the source current or voltage is five time constant . True / False

Answer: True

13. The current in inductor reached to the 63.2% within 0.1 sec then the current rises to
100% within _________ sec.

a. 0.2
b. 0.3
c. 0.4
d. 0.5
Answer: d

14. In the inductive circuit, the current reaches to the 63.2% in 1 L/R time constant and
becomes 100% within 5 L/R time constant. True / False
Answer: True

15. The RC time constant becomes __________ with larger value of R & C.

a. shorter
b. longer
c. a & b are correct
d. all are correct
Answer: b

16. The high value of self induced voltage across inductor produces when RL circuit is
opened. True / False

Answer: True

17. When RL circuit is opened, the produce self-induce voltage which is ________ than
the applied voltage.

a. short
b. greater
c. infinity
d. same
Answer: b
18. The formula to calculate the time constant in capacitive circuit is _____________.

a. RC
b. RC/L
c. R/C
d. R/L × C
Answer: a

19. The energy stored in a capacitor formula is E = 1/2 CV2

True / False
Answer: True

20. The long or short time constant RC time constant depends on the ____________ of
applied voltage.
a. current
b. frequency
c. pulse width
d. voltage
Answer: c

21. A short RC time constant is equal to the one-fifth pulse width of the applied voltage.
True / False

Answer: True

22. A ________ RC time constant is equal to the 5 times longer pulse width of applied
voltage.

a. Long
b. Short
Answer: b

23. The voltage across R in a RC circuit is called differentiated output. True /

False

Answer: True

24. The voltage across C in an RC circuit is called ______________ circuit.

a. integrated
b. differentiated
Answer: a

25. A _____________ time constant is generally used for integrated circuit.

a. long
b. short
c. medium
d. b & c are correct
Answer: d

26. Generally, the time constant is made much shorter or longer than a factor of 5 to get
better wave shapes.
True / False

Answer: True

27. The factor of 0.5 time constant is equal to the amplitude of ______________.

a. 20%
b. 50%
c. 63%
d. 40%
Answer: d

28. The factor of 4-time constant is equal to the amplitude of 98%. True
/ False

Answer: True

29. The amplitude of 86% is equal to the time constant of _____________.

a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 2
Answer: d

30. The method of time constant is used for L & C to analysis the non-sinusoidal
wave-forms. True / False

Answer: True
31. The ___________ method is used with L & C to analysis the sinusoidal waveform.

a. Reactance
b. Inductance
c. Time Constant
d. All are correct
Answer: c

32. What is the circuit in the given diagram called?

a) Clipper
b) Clamper
c) Half wave rectifier
d) Full wave rectifier

Answer: a
Explanation: The circuit given above is a clipper. The diode conducts when it is forward
biased, i.e, whenever the input vi is greater than 5V (for ideal diode). For lower voltages, the
diode does not conduct and the output is zero.
33. What is the circuit in the given diagram called?

a) Clipper
b) Clamper
c) Half wave rectifier
d) Full wave rectifier
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: During the positive half cycle, the diode is forward biased and no signal appears
across the output. The capacitor holds the charge in that state. During negative cycle, diode is
reverse biased and diode does not conduct. The charge in capacitor is released and is obtained
at the output.
34. For a sinusoidal input of 20 Vpeak to the given circuit, what is the peak value of the output
waveform?

a) 20 V
b) 25 V
c) 0 V
d) -25 V
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: In the given circuit, the output becomes zero for vi less than -5 V. Hence, the
peak value of the output is 25 V owing to the additive effect of V for vi.
35. For the given circuit for a 20 Vpeak sinusoidal input vi, what is the value of vi at which the
clipping begins?

a) 5 V
b) 0 V
c) -5 V
d) Clipping doesn’t occur
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: Considering the connection of diode, it is evident that the diode becomes
reverse biased when vi < -5 V. Hence, clipping starts at -5 V.
36. For a sinusoidal input of 20 Vpeak to the given circuit, what is the minimum value of the
output waveform?

a) 20 V
b) 25 V
c) -25 V
d) 0 V
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: The given circuit is a clipper that cuts off a part of the negative cycle of the
input sinusoid i.e. the output becomes zero for a certain region of the input waveform. Hence,
the minimum value is 0 V.
37. For the given input waveform to the given circuit, what is the peak value of the output
waveform?

a) 0 V
b) 16 V
c) 12 V
d) 0 V
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: In the given circuit, the diode is in the off stage when vi > 4 V. Hence, when vi >
4 V, vo = vi and hence the peak value of vo = the peak value of vi = 16 V.
38. For the given input waveform to the given circuit, what is the minimum value of the
output waveform?

a) 4 V
b) 16 V
c) 12 V
d) 0 V
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: The circuit above is a parallel clipper. When the input is less than 4V, then diode
is forward biased and thus output voltage is 4V. When input increases above 4V, the diode is
reverse biased and output is equal to the input. Hence, minimum output is 4V.
39. Which of the following is not a necessary component in a clamper circuit?
a) Diode
b) Capacitor
c) Resistor
d) Independent DC Supply
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: Diode, Capacitor and Resistor are necessary to build a clamper circuit. An
independent DC supply is required to bring an additional shift.
40. For the given circuit, what is the minimum peak value of the output waveform if the input
waveform is 10V square wave with switching time of 1 second?
Assume that the input switches between +10V and -10V DC levels.

a) 0 V
b) -5 V
c) -20 V
d) -10 V
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: For the positive half of the input, the diode is in the on state and hence acts as a
short circuit and hence vo = 0 V. For the negative half cycle, the resistor receives voltage
input both from the source and the capacitor which is charged during the positive half of the
input. Hence, vo = -20 V.
41. For the given circuit and input waveform, the peak value of the output is +30V.

a) True
b) False
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: The given circuit is a clamper with an independent DC supply of +10 V.
Keeping in mind the connection of the diode and the DC supply, we see that the output
waveform is clamped at +10V i.e. it shifts up by +10V. Hence, the maximum value of vo=+30
V.
42. Which of the following are the characteristics of clipper circuits?
a. Clips off waves

b. Zero distortion while clipping

 c. Removes a portion of waves

d. All the above

Ans : d

43. A clipper is also called ______?

a. Slicer

b. Limiter

c. Clipping

d. All the above

Ans: d

44. Which of the following is the basic function of clipper?

a. Shape wave
b. Clip wave
c. Introduce noise
d. All the above

Ans: d
45. Which of the following are the part of clipper circuit?
a. Linear
b. Non-Linear
c. Storing elements
d. Both a and b

Ans d

46. A clipper circuit removes ____ portion of a wave forms peaks?

a. Positive
b. Negative
c. Both a and b
d. Linear

Ans c

47. Which of the following are the examples of linear elements in a clipper circuit?
a. Resistor
b. Capacitor
c. Diodes
d. Transistor

Ans a

48. Which of the following are the examples of nonlinear elements in a clipper
circuit?
a. Capacitor
b. Diodes
c. Transistor
d. Both b and c

Ans d

49. Which of the following is not a component of clipper circuit?

a. Resistor
b. Capacitor
c. Diodes
d. Transistor

Ans b

50. Which of the following are the components used in series negative and series
positive clipper?
a. Resistors
b. Diode
c. Capacitor
d. Both a and b

Ans d

51. In positive half cycle of series negative clipper, the diode is ___ biased?
a. Forward
b. Reverse
c. Positively charged
d. All the above

Ans a

52. In negative half cycle of series negative clipper, the diode is ___ biased?
a. Forward
b. Reverse
c. Positively charged
d. All the above

Ans b