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Questions and Answers
How can direct current flow?
How can direct current flow?
Through a conductor such as a wire, semiconductors, insulators, or even through a vacuum.
What distinguishes direct current from alternating current (AC)?
What distinguishes direct current from alternating current (AC)?
The electric current flows in a constant direction.
What is direct current (DC)?
What is direct current (DC)?
One-directional flow of electric charge.
How can direct current be converted from an alternating current supply?
How can direct current be converted from an alternating current supply?
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What was the term formerly used for direct current?
What was the term formerly used for direct current?
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Study Notes
Direct Current Basics
- Direct current (DC) flows consistently in one direction, maintaining a constant voltage level.
- DC is often generated by sources such as batteries, solar panels, and fuel cells.
Distinction from Alternating Current
- Alternating current (AC) periodically reverses direction and changes voltage levels, making it suitable for long-distance transmission.
- Key difference: DC maintains a constant direction while AC varies, often represented as a sine wave.
Conversion from Alternating Current
- AC can be converted to DC using rectifiers, which allow current to flow in one direction, effectively blocking the reverse flow.
- The conversion process often includes filtering to smooth out the output, resulting in a stable DC voltage.
Historical Terminology
- The term "galvanic current" was formerly used to refer to direct current, reflecting its origins in early electrical science.
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Description
Test your knowledge of direct current (DC), which is the one-directional flow of electric charge. This quiz covers topics such as the characteristics of DC, its applications, and how it differs from alternating current (AC).
