What are the diffrences between alternating current (AC) an direct current (DC)?
DC current is the movement of charge directly from the cathode to the anode. AC current, is when current goes back and forth, to put it simply in which the current varies rapidly over a very short time period. AC current was chosen for our mains electricity for a number of reasons. The voltage of an AC current is easily changed by a transformer, unlike DC which would require an inverter to change it to AC then a capacitor to change it to DC. DC current has a limit (around 800kV) in which the electric field around it is so intense that the cable breaks down the insulating properties of the air. This is called the ‘Corona Effect’ However, an AC current only reaches this limit very, very briefly twice in one cycle so it would be ideal to use AC current in our power lines. the disadvantages of AC power, however is that since the current is constantly changing back and forth, it will induce a current within a range to any conductor nearby making it hazardous to sensitive equipment including
