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Alternating current is a flow of electrical energy in which the direction of electron flow reverses periodically. The mains electricity in your house is likely Alternating Current. The other form is Direct Current, where the direction of electron flow is in one direction only. Such as the flow from the batteries in your flashlight.

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In electronics the term rectification refers to the process of changing an alternating current AC to what?

A Direct Current


What is meant by negative half-cycle of an alternating current?

Alternating current varies in magnitude, and reverses direction every half-cycle. When the current is drifting in one direction we allocate it a 'positive' direction; when it reverses direction we allocate it a 'negative' direction. So the positive half-cycle refers to its variation in current during its forward or positive direction and the negative half-cycle refers to its variation in current during its reverse or negative direction.


An electric current is the measure of what?

An electric current is a movement of charges, and it is measured in amperes or just amps. An ammeter is used to make this measurement. Current flow is a scalar quantity, and it refers to the number of charges passing a given point per unit of time.


What is Another name for DC current?

Another name for DC current is direct current. It refers to the flow of electric charge in a single direction, as opposed to alternating current (AC), where the flow of charge periodically reverses direction. DC current is commonly used in batteries and electronic devices.


Why was the ac electrical generator invented?

"AC" is just a scientific term that refers to the fact that this generator produces electricity in an Alternating Current as opposed to "DC" which refers to Direct Current. Commonly, the plug outlet on the wall is AC, and the little black box electrical adapter for your cordless telephone is changing that AC current into DC current for the phone to work on. The phone line in your house runs on 24 volts DC, where the wall sockets are 124 volts AC.

Related Questions

Define alternating current definition?

The alternating current refers to the flow of the electric charge periodically and in the opposite direction. The polarity changes with the time..


In electronics the term rectification refers to the process of changing an alternating current AC to what?

A Direct Current


Is vac and watt the same?

No, they are not the same. "Vac" refers to the voltage of an alternating current (AC) system, while "watt" refers to the power or energy consumption of a device. Voltage (Vac) measures the force that moves electric current, while watt measures the rate at which energy is consumed or produced.


What is DC-AC?

AC/DC is a rock band. Their name refers to "alternating current direct current.


Is an alternating current the same as air condition?

No. Not the same. AC means Alternating Current which refers to a type of electrical flow (electrons). The word "Alternating" eaning that the current of electrons changes direction based on its frequency -- e.g., 60 times per second. A/C means Air Conditioning and refers to a machine that cools the air.


What is the mean by the word A'C in electical system?

AC refers to Alternating Current, as opposed to DC which is Direct Current.


What does the term frequency mean in electricity?

That refers to AC (alternating current). A direct current flows only in one direction; an alternating current changes its direction all the time. The "frequency" refers to how often the current changes direction. It is expressed in hertz (Hz), which means the same as cycles/second.


What is ac energy?

That probably refers to an AC current or an AC voltage. That means that the electrical current is not continuously flowing in one direction, but changes direction all the time - typically at a frequency of 50 or 60 cycles per second in the case of household current. Similar for the voltage.


What is meant by negative half-cycle of an alternating current?

Alternating current varies in magnitude, and reverses direction every half-cycle. When the current is drifting in one direction we allocate it a 'positive' direction; when it reverses direction we allocate it a 'negative' direction. So the positive half-cycle refers to its variation in current during its forward or positive direction and the negative half-cycle refers to its variation in current during its reverse or negative direction.


What are the differences between AC power and DC power?

The description AC/DC refers to equipment designed to be operate on either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction.


What are the 3 types of eletricity?

The three types of electricity are static electricity, current electricity (also known as electric current), and alternating current (AC) electricity. Static electricity refers to the build-up of electric charge on the surface of objects. Current electricity is the flow of electric charge through a conductor, while alternating current (AC) electricity is a type of current where the flow periodically reverses direction.


What is current direction?

Outside the battery, it is negative to positive and inside the battery it is positive to negative.