Question

What is the difference between ‘Direct Current’ (DC) and ‘Alternating Current’ (AC)?

Answer 1

Types of current flow:
Two types of current flow are alternating and direct current. The alternating current direction varies periodically. The direct current is restricted to flow in a single direction.

Difference between alternating current and direct current:

	Alternating current (AC)	Direct Current (DC)
1.	Electron flows forward and backward.	Electrons flow in one direction.
2.	Alternating current can travel safely at long distances.	It cannot flow at long distances.
3.	The frequencies of alternating current vary between 50 Hz to 60 Hz.	Zero frequencies are available for the direct current.
4.	Availability of source is a generator.	Here, the battery is the source.
5.	Wave is sinusoidal, square, and many more.	But here, pulsating waveforms can be produced.

Thus, the difference between alternating current and direct current is shown in the above table.