Which statement is true about alternating current?

Which statement is true about alternating current?

• A. It reverses direction many times per second
• B. It never reverses
• C. It is always DC
• D. It is produced by batteries

Answer: (A)

Alternating current is current that reverses direction periodically. In household and most mains supplies, this reversal happens many times per second (at about 50 Hz or 60 Hz depending on the region). Because the direction keeps flipping, both the current and the voltage continually change, following a wave that rises and falls as it cycles. Batteries, on the other hand, push direct current, which flows in only one direction and does not reverse. That makes the statement true: alternating current reverses direction many times per second. Its changing direction is also why AC voltages can be easily transformed using transformers.

Alternating current is current that reverses direction periodically. In household and most mains supplies, this reversal happens many times per second (at about 50 Hz or 60 Hz depending on the region). Because the direction keeps flipping, both the current and the voltage continually change, following a wave that rises and falls as it cycles. Batteries, on the other hand, push direct current, which flows in only one direction and does not reverse. That makes the statement true: alternating current reverses direction many times per second. Its changing direction is also why AC voltages can be easily transformed using transformers.