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In a 60Hz AC current, the current flows in one direction for half of the cycle (1/120th of a second) and then reverses direction for the other half of the cycle. This continuous reversal of direction is what allows electric devices to function properly.

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When waves from the southwest strike a beach that runs east and west the direction of the long shore current will be?

The long shore current will typically flow parallel to the beach in a northeast or southeast direction following the direction of the incoming waves from the southwest. This current is generated as the waves push water along the shoreline, causing a movement of water in the same direction as the wave approach.


What are the key differences between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC)?

Alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) differ in the direction of flow of electric charge. AC changes direction periodically, while DC flows in one direction continuously. AC is used for long-distance power transmission, while DC is used for electronic devices and batteries.


Is there a polarity in an alternating current circuits?

Yes, there is a polarity in an alternating current (AC) circuit, but it constantly changes direction. In an AC circuit, the current flow reverses direction periodically, typically 50 or 60 times per second depending on the frequency of the power source. This changing polarity allows the current to flow back and forth, enabling the transmission of electrical energy over long distances efficiently.


Will current flow more easily through a long wire or a short wire?

Current will flow more easily through a short wire compared to a long wire because the resistance of a wire increases with its length. A longer wire will have more resistance, resulting in a lower current flow compared to a shorter wire.


Why does a battery supply direct current?

A battery supplies direct current (DC) because it produces a constant flow of electrons in one direction within the circuit. This is achieved through a chemical reaction that establishes a potential difference. In contrast, alternating current (AC) changes direction periodically, making it more suitable for long-distance power transmission.

Related Questions

Why cannot the B-field of an infinitely long straight current-carrying conductor have a component in the direction of the current?

As induced magnetic lines exist in a plane perpendicular to the direction of flow of current, the component in the direction of current i.e cos 90 component will be zero. Recall cos 90 = 0. Hence the answer


When waves from the southwest strike a beach that runs east and west the direction of the long shore current will be?

The long shore current will typically flow parallel to the beach in a northeast or southeast direction following the direction of the incoming waves from the southwest. This current is generated as the waves push water along the shoreline, causing a movement of water in the same direction as the wave approach.


What happened to electron under ac voltage and dc voltage?

when electrons flow under AC they flow in both direction firstly forward then in reverse and it does this for as long as there is a potential difference applied to the circuit. under DC the current only flows in one direction only


How you can indicate the current direction in the network?

If we go for the diagramatic representation then battery positive is represented by the long terminal and battery negative is represented by the short terminal then the direction of the current is given by an arrow from positive terminal to negative terminal (Therotically electrons flow from negative to positive but we represent current flow from positive to negative. This is the sign convention )


Do electrons get emptied in a connection with switch opened given a dc supply?

No, the electrons just starts flowing across the closed circuit, in the direction opposite to the flow of currentIt is confusing to say that 'electrons flow in the opposite direction to current' because, in metal conductors, current is a flow of electrons! 'Conventional flow', which is being referred to, here, is simply a convention and doesn't represent real current flow. Considering how long we have known about electrons, it's really about time we abandoned 'conventional flow'.


Current will flow as long as the power supply is good and there's a power-control device true or false?

Current will flow as long as there is a difference of potential (a voltage) and a path for current to flow. So no power-control device is required for current flow but yes it will flow with a power control decive.


What are the key differences between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC)?

Alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) differ in the direction of flow of electric charge. AC changes direction periodically, while DC flows in one direction continuously. AC is used for long-distance power transmission, while DC is used for electronic devices and batteries.


When an electric current flows through a long conductor how does each free electron moves?

The individual electrons will move back and forth, as they do when there is no current. You would have to do very careful statistics to notice that there are slightly more electrons moving in one direction than in the other: the drift velocity (average velocity due to current) of the electrons is typically a fraction of a millimeter per second.


How long 5 voltage travel in steel?

As long as there is an applied voltage, current will flow.


Is there a polarity in an alternating current circuits?

Yes, there is a polarity in an alternating current (AC) circuit, but it constantly changes direction. In an AC circuit, the current flow reverses direction periodically, typically 50 or 60 times per second depending on the frequency of the power source. This changing polarity allows the current to flow back and forth, enabling the transmission of electrical energy over long distances efficiently.


Would there be a longshore current in a lagoon behind a long sandbar?

Yes, there can be a longshore current in a lagoon behind a long sandbar as wave energy can cause water to move parallel to the shoreline within the lagoon. The presence of the sandbar may alter the strength and direction of the current, leading to varying flow patterns within the lagoon.


In the direction of current?

Current flows from positive to negative.Electrons flow from negative to positive.This is historic, and arbitrary.Another AnswerThe original answer is not wholly correct, and neither is it correct to say that the direction of an electric current is 'arbitrary'. Current direction is defined in terms of its direction through a load (never through the voltage source, such as a battery or generator).An electric current is a flow of charged particles. In metal conductors, these arenegatively-charged electrons. Therefore, in metal conductors, current flows from negative to positive through a load. This is because the negative electrons in a conductor are repelled by an external negative charge and attracted towards an external positive (or 'less negative') charge.In the 18th century, long before the nature of the atom was understood, scientists, such as Benjamin Franklin believed that an electric current was the flow of some mysterious 'fluid' that moved from a higher pressure to a lower pressure. Naturally, the considered the higher pressure to be 'positive' and the lower pressure to be 'negative'. Therefore, they believed current flowed from 'positive to negative'. Faraday agreed with this direction, based on his observations of his experiments in electrolysis (although he thought that current was a 'field' rather than a 'fluid'). Unfortunately, they were wrong.To distinguish the latter from the former, a direction of positive to negative is termed 'conventional flow', whereas a direction of negative to positive is termed 'electron flow'. Modern textbooks use either 'conventional flow' or 'electron flow', depending on the author's preference.