Which of the following is characteristic of a switchmode power supply as compared to a linear power supply?

A linear power supply typically operates at the standard household mains frequency (50 or 60 Hz). At these low frequencies, large and heavy iron-core transformers are required to step down the voltage efficiently. A switchmode power supply (SMPS) takes a different approach by rectifying the input voltage and then rapidly switching it on and off at a much higher frequency, often in the tens or hundreds of kilohertz. Operating at such high frequencies means that the internal transformers and filtering capacitors process smaller 'bites' of energy much faster, allowing those components to be drastically smaller and lighter while delivering the same total power.