Alternating Current Versus Direct Current

DC Current Direct current is the one way flow of electrical charge from a positive to a negative charge. Batteries produce direct current. Direct Current is different than alternating current because the charge only flows in one direction. Thomas Edison is credited for promoting direct current.

DC Examples http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/dc.htm DC Motor

Alternating Current Alternating Current is when charges flow back and forth from a source. It is the way we receive our electricity (for our houses, businesses, etc.) Nikola Tesla was a pioneer in the advancement of alternating current. AC flows in the form of a sine wave, back and forth. It is easier to transform voltages in AC. The purpose of transformers is to convert AC voltages. Transformers are extremely important to AC current, and our life.

AC Examples http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/ac.htm how transformers work Comparing AC vs. DC

Sources http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZjMuIHoBeg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer http://engineering.wikia.com/wiki/Alternating_current