What is current ?
Current is the flow of charged particles through a conducting medium.Types of current :
- Direct current
- Alternative current
Direct Current :
Direct current abbreviated DC, that only flows in one direction. A common place to find direct current is in batteries.
Alternating Current :
Alternating current abbreviated AC, pushes the electrons back and forth, changing the direction of the flow several times per second. It is used for the production and transportation of electricity.
Differences between AC and DC :
Direct Current (DC)
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Alternating Current (AC)
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Transferring energy
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Voltage of DC cannot travel very far and starts to lose energy
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Safer to transfer over longer city distances and can provide more power
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Flow of Electrons
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Flows in one direction
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Keep switching energy, forward and reverse
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Causes flow of electrons
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Steady magnets placed on the wire
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Rotating magnets along the wire
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Frequency
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0 frequency
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Between 50Hz to 60Hz; depending on country
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Direction
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Electricity flows in one direction
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Energy constantly changes direction
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Current
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It is the current of constant magnitude
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It is the current of magnitude varying with time
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Types
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Pure and pulsating
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Sinusoidal, Trapezoidal, Triangular, Square,
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Found in
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Batteries, solar panels
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AC Generator and power plants
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Power Factor
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Always 1
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Lies between 0 & 1
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