1 Answer
AC current stands for **Alternating Current**. It’s called this because the direction of the flow of electric charge **alternates** or **reverses periodically**.
In AC, the voltage (the force pushing the current) alternates between positive and negative, causing the current to change direction back and forth. This is in contrast to **DC** (Direct Current), where the current flows in one direction only.
For example, in the power lines that bring electricity to your home, the electric current constantly reverses direction many times per second—this is AC. The number of times it switches direction in one second is called **frequency** (measured in Hertz, Hz).
So, it’s called AC because of this "alternating" nature of the current flow!
In AC, the voltage (the force pushing the current) alternates between positive and negative, causing the current to change direction back and forth. This is in contrast to **DC** (Direct Current), where the current flows in one direction only.
For example, in the power lines that bring electricity to your home, the electric current constantly reverses direction many times per second—this is AC. The number of times it switches direction in one second is called **frequency** (measured in Hertz, Hz).
So, it’s called AC because of this "alternating" nature of the current flow!