How is the ripple of the DC output on a Full Wave Bridge Rectifier reduced?

The reduction of ripple in the DC output of a Full Wave Bridge Rectifier is effectively achieved by using a capacitor in parallel with the output load. When placed in parallel, the capacitor serves as a reservoir of charge. During the intervals when the rectifier is conducting, the capacitor charges up to the peak voltage of the rectified output. When the rectifier is not conducting, the capacitor discharges through the load, supplying current and smoothing out the fluctuations in voltage.

This arrangement dramatically decreases the amplitude of the ripple because the energy stored in the capacitor allows for a steadier output voltage. As the capacitor holds charge, it can supply power to the load during the brief periods between the peaks of the rectified output, thereby smoothing the overall voltage and reducing variations.

Using a resistor in series with the load would not only limit the output voltage but also introduce additional losses, worsening the ripple rather than reducing it. A capacitor in series with the load is ineffective for ripple reduction, as it would block DC current, not allowing the load to receive a steady voltage. Although an inductor in parallel can be used to smooth current changes, it does not specifically address voltage ripple in the same effective manner that a capacitor does in this context. Thus, adding a capacitor