What is rectification and rectifier ? Why p-n junction diode is used as a rectifier?

Explanation

The process of converting AC signal (voltage, current and power) into DC signal is called rectification.
The circuit which performs this process is called a rectifier.
The characteristics of p-n junction is that when giving it forward bias it allows the current to be in the same direction but by connecting reverse bias it does not allow the current to flow so the diode has a low resistance during forward bias and is very high at reverse bias. The current flow by this property is called rectifier. Due to this characteristic p-n junction diode is used as rectifier. There are two types of rectifiers.
(1) Half wave rectifier (2) Full wave rectifier