What happens during half-wave rectification?

During half-wave rectification, the process involves using only one half of an alternating current (AC) waveform. This means that positive voltage peaks are allowed to pass through while negative voltage peaks are blocked.

This process is critical for converting AC to direct current (DC). In half-wave rectification, the diode conducts current only during the positive half-cycle of the AC signal, preventing any current from flowing during the negative half-cycle. This selective passing of voltage results in a pulsating waveform that consists solely of the positive half of the input signal.

The other choices pertain to concepts that do not apply to half-wave rectification. For example, negative voltage peaks being allowed through contradicts the definition of half-wave rectification, which specifically blocks them. A fully continuous waveform is characteristic of full-wave rectification, where both halves of the waveform are utilized. Continuous flow of electrons in one direction represents a pure DC current, which is not achieved with half-wave rectification alone, as it creates a pulsating DC output rather than a smooth one.