Peak inverse voltage (PIV) — repaired stem for clarity: For a single-diode half-wave rectifier using an ideal diode and a sinusoidal source with peak amplitude Vp = 3 V, what is the peak inverse voltage (PIV) that the diode must withstand during the nonconducting half-cycle?

Introduction / Context:PIV (peak inverse voltage) is the maximum reverse voltage that a rectifier diode must withstand when it is reverse-biased. Getting this rating correct is essential to avoid diode breakdown in power supplies. The original item referenced an unspecified “given circuit,” so we minimally repair the stem to a standard, well-defined case: an ideal half-wave rectifier driven by a sinusoidal source of peak Vp = 3 V.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Topology: single-diode half-wave rectifier, ideal diode.
• Input: sinusoidal source with peak value Vp = 3 V.
• No transformer or additional components; no conduction drop assumed in the ideal model.
• Load is resistive and referenced to ground (typical textbook configuration).

Concept / Approach:In a half-wave rectifier, during the reverse half-cycle the diode is reverse-biased and must block the input's instantaneous voltage. For an ideal source and ideal diode, the maximum reverse stress across the diode equals the peak of the applied sine wave: PIV = Vp. If a transformer and other elements were present, PIV expressions can differ, but in this minimal repaired configuration it equals the source peak.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:Draw the waveform of the input and mark the reverse-biased half. The highest reverse stress across the diode coincides with the negative peak (for the chosen orientation), which equals 3 V in magnitude for this repaired stem.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 6 V: Would apply in some center-tapped full-wave cases (2 * Vp across a nonconducting diode), not in a simple half-wave.
• 2.3 V: No common rectifier formula yields this from Vp = 3 V.
• 0 V: Reverse stress is not zero; the diode must block the peak reverse swing.
• 2 * sqrt(2) V: Not relevant to a half-wave with the given Vp.

Common Pitfalls:Confusing half-wave with full-wave center-tapped PIV requirements; forgetting that quoted Vp is already the peak (not RMS), so no 0.707 factor applies here.

Final Answer:3 V