2007-01-30 14:01:48 · 13 answers · asked by jhen 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
AC is alternating current (wall socket)... its magnitude and direction fluctuates from a high to a low in a cyclic fashion (gradually)
DC is direct current (like a battery) it supplies a steady stream of current
2007-01-30 14:05:59 · answer #1 · answered by Rutroh 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DC is Direct Current: imagine a steady force that has infinite duration pushing or pulling charges, always in the same direction.
For AC, Alternating Current, imagine that force switching directions. First charges are pushed one way, then the other. The change in direction may be abrupt; a graph would have square edges. It may be smooth (sinusoidal, a "sine" wave).
Because it's easy to change voltage of AC with a transformer, most electricity is transmitted as AC. It's easier to store DC, as in a battery or capacitor.
Because sine AC waves spend part of the time at 0 volts and part at the maximum, an average (called Root Mean Square or RMS) is used, about 70.7% of the maximum voltage. US AC is usually 120 Volts RMS AC, so the peak voltage is about 170.
2007-01-30 22:15:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
DC stands for direct current. This kind of voltage has constant polarity; constant amplitude (Voltage) AC on the other hand stands for alternate current. This kind of voltage constantly changes its polarity and amplitude. Graphical representation of DC current is a straight line, for industrial AC current it is a sine wave. In US AC current changes its polarity and amplitude 60 times per secons 60Hz in most of other countries it is 50Hz.
2007-02-03 19:58:52 · answer #3 · answered by StanleyB51 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AC is Alernating current and DC is Direct current. The difference is AC voltage is not constant (sine curve) while DC current is constant (straight line).
2007-01-30 22:25:02 · answer #4 · answered by KevinJo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AC stands for "alternating current" and DC stands for "direct current". Direct current is like a battery - a constant flow or loop of a positive and negative charge (like a flashlight.) Alternating current switches back and forth in very rapid succesion between positive and a negative charge (like the electricity in your house.)
2007-01-30 22:07:25 · answer #5 · answered by seamless1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DC is direct current. Power comes from a permanant negative pole and moves continuously to the positive.
AC is alternating current. The poles switch back and forth at a high rate of speed, alowing power to move alternately in two directions.
2007-01-30 22:06:25 · answer #6 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
AC means alternating current, that means the direction of electron flow reverses at a given frequency measured in Hertz (how many full cycles per sec). It's what's generated in powerplants for domestic use, it's the power we have in our homes. DC means direct current and the flow of electrons only moves in one direction, it's what's produced from batteries.
2007-01-30 22:06:11 · answer #7 · answered by Ediddy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AC=Alternating current, higher voltage
DC=direct current, lower (usually) voltage
2007-01-30 22:05:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alternate means that the energy travels through one of the wires and then the other, by a rate of 60 turns during one second, when the energy frequency is 60 hz. DC, direct, means that the energy travels through one of the wires in one direction, and in the other wire, the other direction constantly.
2007-01-30 22:10:34 · answer #9 · answered by ottowilcken 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ac is alternating current and dc is direct current.alternating current travels back and forth through the conducter(WIRE) from a generator or other electical provider direct current is like from a battery or other energy storing device
2007-01-30 22:07:14 · answer #10 · answered by eric b 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋