AC and DC Current

A series of free GCSE/IGCSE Physics Notes and Lessons.

AC and DC Current
• Describe what is meant by direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC).
• Use an oscilloscope trace to work out features of an AC supply.

What is meant by AC and DC current and how to use an oscilloscope trace to determine the features of an AC supply.
The current from a cell is a direct current (DC).
In AC, the current is constantly changing direction. The benefit of AC is that it is very easy to use a transformer to increase or decrease the potential difference. In the UK, the alternating current has a frequency of 50 Hertz (Hz) and a potential difference of around 230 volts.

How AC and DC work?

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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