1 Answer
**AC (Alternating Current) Voltage** and **DC (Direct Current) Voltage** are two types of electrical voltage that differ in how the electric current behaves.
### **AC Voltage (Alternating Current)**:
- **What it is**: In AC, the voltage (and the current) changes direction periodically. The flow of electric charge alternates back and forth.
- **How it works**: The voltage increases and decreases in a sinusoidal wave pattern. This means it goes from positive to negative and back again, repeating over time.
- **Examples**: The electricity that comes into your home is AC. The voltage usually alternates 50 or 60 times per second (50Hz or 60Hz), depending on where you live.
- **Uses**: AC is used for most household appliances and in power transmission because it is easier to generate and transform between different voltage levels.
### **DC Voltage (Direct Current)**:
- **What it is**: In DC, the voltage remains constant, and the current flows in only one direction.
- **How it works**: The electric charge moves steadily in one direction, which means the voltage stays the same or fluctuates only slightly.
- **Examples**: Batteries (like the ones in your phone or flashlight) provide DC voltage. Solar panels also produce DC voltage.
- **Uses**: DC is used in devices like smartphones, laptops, and other electronic circuits where a stable, unidirectional current is needed.
### Key Difference:
- **AC**: Voltage alternates in direction.
- **DC**: Voltage stays constant in one direction.
So, when you plug in a device at home, it runs on AC. But if you use a battery-powered device, it works on DC.
### **AC Voltage (Alternating Current)**:
- **What it is**: In AC, the voltage (and the current) changes direction periodically. The flow of electric charge alternates back and forth.
- **How it works**: The voltage increases and decreases in a sinusoidal wave pattern. This means it goes from positive to negative and back again, repeating over time.
- **Examples**: The electricity that comes into your home is AC. The voltage usually alternates 50 or 60 times per second (50Hz or 60Hz), depending on where you live.
- **Uses**: AC is used for most household appliances and in power transmission because it is easier to generate and transform between different voltage levels.
### **DC Voltage (Direct Current)**:
- **What it is**: In DC, the voltage remains constant, and the current flows in only one direction.
- **How it works**: The electric charge moves steadily in one direction, which means the voltage stays the same or fluctuates only slightly.
- **Examples**: Batteries (like the ones in your phone or flashlight) provide DC voltage. Solar panels also produce DC voltage.
- **Uses**: DC is used in devices like smartphones, laptops, and other electronic circuits where a stable, unidirectional current is needed.
### Key Difference:
- **AC**: Voltage alternates in direction.
- **DC**: Voltage stays constant in one direction.
So, when you plug in a device at home, it runs on AC. But if you use a battery-powered device, it works on DC.