What is the difference between ac electric and dc electric?

Answer 1

Direct current (DC) is current that flows in one direction only, with a usually constant current and voltage. It is mainly produced by a voltage potential like a battery with an unbalance of charge. Alternating current (AC) alternates direction; it will flow first one way then the other with a current and voltage that are sinusoidal with a set frequency (50Hz is the standard home supply, for example). This is caused by the generator effect, using a spinning magnet to induce a current in a coil of wire as used in turbines for hydroelectric dams and nuclear and coal power stations.
AC is alternating current. The electrons go back and forth, from positive to negative voltage. In your house (in the US anyways), you get 110-120V that goes from +110 to -100. It does this 60 times per second, hence the term 60Hz.

DC is direct current. The electrons go in a continuous circuit, in one direction. The voltage is the same and is positive. Batteries supply direct current where the electrons come from the negative battery terminal to the positive.
The difference is actually in the current flow in a wire instead of voltage. In AC current, the voltage changes from + to - about 60 cycles a second for common household current. It is assumed (but never actually visualized), that electrons change direction of flow in the wire in reference to the 60 cycles about 120 times a second.

In DC current, the voltage remains the same and doesn't change polarity. The electrons flow in the wire the same direction and do not change direction.

Electricity is called "Electrical Theory" because no one has ever seen or visualized how electricity works in wires. However, electrical characteristics can be explained and reasoned so it is assumed that they do these things.

Experts also disagree on DC current whether it flows from + to - (positive to negative), or in the other direction as no one has actually seen the electrons move. Some studies suggest that it flows from - to +. Regardless, it actually doesn't matter because we know how to manipulate electricity to do whatever we need it to do.

Comment

Experts do NOT disagree on the direction of current. In metal conductors, current is a drift of electrons from the negative end of a conductor to its positive (or less negative) end. Period!

The problem is that early scientists such as Benjamin Franklin, who knew nothing about atoms and electrons, though that an electric current was a fluid that moved from a higher (positive) pressure to lower (negative) pressure direction. This direction is now referred to as 'conventional flow', and is still used in most textbooks. But this does not mean that scientists disagree on the 'actual' direction of current.
AC, or Alternating Current, pulses on and off. in American homes it pulses 60 times per second. Hence, the term 60 Hz, or 60 cycles is used. DC, or Direct Current, is constant. This is a very simplified answer, I know!
AC is alternating current. If you were to measure the voltage or current of one terminal relative to the other, you would see the polarity constantly reversing, typically at 50Hz or 60Hz, depending on what country in which you live. An example of AC is the power source represented by the outlets in your home.

DC is direct current. If you were to measure the voltage or current of one terminal relative to the other, you would see the polarity not changing - it would be constant and stable. An example of DC is the power source represented by a battery.

Answer 2

Direct current (DC) is current that flows in one direction only, with a usually constant current and voltage. It is mainly produced by a voltage potential like a battery with an unbalance of charge. Alternating current (AC) alternates direction; it will flow first one way then the other with a current and voltage that are sinusoidal with a set frequency (50Hz is the standard home supply, for example). This is caused by the generator effect, using a spinning magnet to induce a current in a coil of wire as used in turbines for hydroelectric dams and nuclear and coal power stations.
AC is alternating current. The electrons go back and forth, from positive to negative voltage. In your house (in the US anyways), you get 110-120V that goes from +110 to -100. It does this 60 times per second, hence the term 60Hz.

DC is direct current. The electrons go in a continuous circuit, in one direction. The voltage is the same and is positive. Batteries supply direct current where the electrons come from the negative battery terminal to the positive.
The difference is actually in the current flow in a wire instead of voltage. In AC current, the voltage changes from + to - about 60 cycles a second for common household current. It is assumed (but never actually visualized), that electrons change direction of flow in the wire in reference to the 60 cycles about 120 times a second.

In DC current, the voltage remains the same and doesn't change polarity. The electrons flow in the wire the same direction and do not change direction.

Electricity is called "Electrical Theory" because no one has ever seen or visualized how electricity works in wires. However, electrical characteristics can be explained and reasoned so it is assumed that they do these things.

Experts also disagree on DC current whether it flows from + to - (positive to negative), or in the other direction as no one has actually seen the electrons move. Some studies suggest that it flows from - to +. Regardless, it actually doesn't matter because we know how to manipulate electricity to do whatever we need it to do.

Comment

Experts do NOT disagree on the direction of current. In metal conductors, current is a drift of electrons from the negative end of a conductor to its positive (or less negative) end. Period!

The problem is that early scientists such as Benjamin Franklin, who knew nothing about atoms and electrons, though that an electric current was a fluid that moved from a higher (positive) pressure to lower (negative) pressure direction. This direction is now referred to as 'conventional flow', and is still used in most textbooks. But this does not mean that scientists disagree on the 'actual' direction of current.
AC, or Alternating Current, pulses on and off. in American homes it pulses 60 times per second. Hence, the term 60 Hz, or 60 cycles is used. DC, or Direct Current, is constant. This is a very simplified answer, I know!
AC is alternating current. If you were to measure the voltage or current of one terminal relative to the other, you would see the polarity constantly reversing, typically at 50Hz or 60Hz, depending on what country in which you live. An example of AC is the power source represented by the outlets in your home.

DC is direct current. If you were to measure the voltage or current of one terminal relative to the other, you would see the polarity not changing - it would be constant and stable. An example of DC is the power source represented by a battery.

Answer 3

Alternating Current (AC): electric current that flows back and forth at regular intervals called cycles. Direct Current (DC): electric current flowing in one direction.

So the only difference between them is the way the current flows beneath them.