What is the direction of the electric current in ac?

Answer 1

No. The direction of the current is constantly changing, reversing direction at twice the "frequency" of the AC. For house-current in the US, that means it reverses direction 120 times every second. That's why it's called "alternating".

Answer 2

The main reason for that phenomenon is the fact that "alternating current" is

the name that has been given to current (and voltage) whose polarity changes,

and that decision has had certain far-reaching consequences. It must follow

that if its polarity does not change, then a current cannot be accurately referred to

as "alternating". The bottom-line result of this reasoning is the fact that IF it is

'alternating current' THEN its polarity is changing, and the vice versa is also true.

Another Answer

Whenever there is relative motion between a conductor and a magnetic field, and voltage is induced into that conductor, the direction of which is determined by the direction in which the conductor passes through the magnetic field. When a coil is rotated within a magnetic field, the direction of each side relative to the field reverses every half-cycle and so does the direction of the induced voltage.

Answer 3

In North America electrical systems the AC current is established at 60 Hz which means it changes directions 120 times per second. As for the flow of current there are two established values. Conventional current flow is from positive to negative and electron flow is from negative to positive

Answer 4

In an AC circuit, the direction of the electric current changes periodically, flowing first in one direction and then in the opposite direction. This back-and-forth movement is the basis of alternating current.

Answer 5

In America AC current typically moves at 60Hz which means it changes directions 60 times per second so it depends on what millisecond you were on when asking this, but in short both.

Answer 6

The ac current changes directions because the electrons do not move in one direction.