A Class C amplifier is a type of electronic amplifier commonly used in radio frequency (RF) applications. It conducts current for less than 50% of the input signal cycle, making it highly efficient but causing significant signal distortion. This distortion makes Class C amplifiers unsuitable for audio amplification but ideal for applications where the output can be filtered, such as RF transmitters. The high efficiency comes from the transistor being switched on for a short period, reducing power loss. Proper filtering is required to reconstruct the original signal from the distorted output.