What is AC current?
GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer
AC (Alternating Current) is electric current that periodically reverses direction, typically following a sinusoidal wave pattern. The voltage and current magnitude oscillate between positive and negative values at a specific freuency 50 Hz in most countries, 60 Hz in North America. This means the current changes direction 50 or 60 times per second. AC is used for:
- Household electricity supply
- Industrial power distribution
- Large appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners)
AC's ability to be easily transformed to different voltages makes it ideal for the power grid, allowing efficient long-distance transmission at high voltages and safe distribution at lower voltages.
Suggested Q&A
General · Class 12- GeneralClass 12Electric Field at Centre of Ring with Non-Uniform Charge Distribution. Four quadrants carry linear charge densities: +2λ, −2λ, +λ, −λ. Find electric field at centre.
- GeneralClass 12P°(hexane) = 408 Torr, P°(heptane) = 141 Torr. x(hexane) = 0.300. Find Y₆ and Y₇.
- GeneralClass 122N₂O₅(g) → 4NO₂(g) + O₂(g). Initial P = 50 mmHg; P at 30 min = 87.5 mmHg. Find P at 60 min.
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between psychosis and neurosis?
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between prism and a pyramid?
- GeneralClass 12What is the difference between phrase and clause?