Diodes are most commonly used for rectification of alternating voltag…

The correct answer is Option (2) → (A) and (B) only

Rectification means converting an alternating voltage into a one-way (unidirectional) voltage. A device can do this only if it lets current pass easily in one direction and practically blocks it in the other.

(A) current flows in one direction only — Correct. This unidirectional conduction is exactly what removes one half of each a.c. cycle.

(B) forward bias resistance is low as compared to reverse bias resistance — Correct. A large current flows in the forward-biased half cycle and a negligible one in the reverse-biased half cycle; this is why the conduction is one-way.

(C) reverse current is independent of the voltage applied — Incorrect. This describes the small reverse saturation current, which stays nearly constant below breakdown. Rectification depends on the reverse current being negligible, not on its being constant.

(D) reverse current is linearly dependent on the voltage applied — Incorrect. It stays almost constant up to breakdown and then rises sharply; a linear (ohmic) diode would act like a resistor, which cannot rectify.

NCERT (2026-27):
p-n Junction Diode Under Reverse Bias – “… The above discussion shows that the p-n junction diode primerly allows the flow of current only in one direction (forward bias). The forward bias resistance is low as compared to the reverse bias resistance. This property is used for rectification of ac voltages as discussed in the next section.”