How does ac current differ from DC?

Answer 1

AC current fluxuates that is why it is called alternating current. DC does not fluxuate that is why it is called direct current.

Better answer"DC does not fluxuate that is why it is called direct current."

If I waggle the voltage control up and down on a d.c. power supply to which a resistor is connected, the current willfluxuate. (Quite poetic, but I prefer to say fluctuate.)

An a.c. changes direction rapidly and continuously, i.e. its direction alternates.

That's why it is called alternating current.
AC current Or alternating current is constantly switching from plus to minus While DC current or direct current moves from minus to plus.
AC and DC refer to Alternating Current and Direct Current respectively. AC is the movement of electrons through a conductor while switching directions, while DC involves electrons moving steadily in a particular direction.

Answer 2

DC the electrons drift predominantly in one direction all the time. AC the electrons oscillate with the changing voltage - sort of left to right, then right to left. They change direction at double the frequency of the supply.

Answer 3

AC stands for "alternating" current and DC stands for "direct" current.

If you picture current as being the same as you might see in a river, this is 'direct' current, it always flows in the same direction.

If a river had alternating current, the water would flow one direction for a short while and then change direction and flow backwards for another short while, constantly alternating between forward and backward flow.

Answer 4

DC flows steadily without changing, while AC is continuously reversing its polarity. A good approximation of the voltage waveform of an AC suppy is

V = Vp sin (2.pi.f.t) and it is commonly called a 'sine-wave'.

In the equation Vp is the peak voltage and f is the frequency. In each period of 1/f the voltage cycle repeats itself.

This might seem an unnecessary complication but it is easier to generate AC and it is much easier to transmit AC electricity over long distances by using Transformers to raise the voltage to kilovolts so that the effect of resistance in the cables is less.

At the user another transformer converts the voltage down to a useable value, usually 120 v or 240 v, which means that people are not obliged to live beside a generator.

Answer 5

DC is current that goes in one direction only - for example, current from a dry cell or car battery. AC changes direction continuously. For example, household current changes direction at a rate of 50 or 60 full cycles per second, depending on the region.

Answer 6

AC will have both negative amplitude and positive amplitude alternating. while DC can be of either polarity it will have one or the other but not both.

Answer 7

The AC current oscillates with cycle time to time.