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Electricity Science

Electric Current

Direct current

  • Current only flows one direction
  • Comes from batteries, solar panels, fuel cells, USB ports, etc.

Alternating current

  • Current flow is reversed in a repeating cycle
    • 60 Hz in the US
  • Comes from wall outlets and the power grid
  • Used to power homes/buildings because
    • Easy to transmit over long distances with low energy loss
      • Transformers step voltage up/down
    • Generators for AC are simpler and more efficient