Electricity flows in two ways: either in an alternating current (AC) or in

a direct current (DC). Electricity or "current" is nothing but the

movement of electrons through a conductor, like a wire. The difference
between AC and DC lies in the direction in which the electrons flow. In
DC, the electrons flow steadily in a single direction, or "forward." In AC,
electrons keep switching directions, sometimes going "forward" and
then going "backward."
Alternating current is the best way to transmit electricity over large
distances.

Comparison chart

Alternating Current versus Direct Current comparison chart

Alternating Current Direct Current

Amount of Safe to transfer over longer city distances and Voltage of DC cannot travel very
energy that can provide more power. far until it begins to lose energy.
can be
carried

Cause of Rotating magnet along the wire. Steady magnetism along the wire.
the
direction of
flow of
electrons

Frequency The frequency of alternating current is 50Hz The frequency of direct current is
or 60Hz depending upon the country. zero.

Direction It reverses its direction while flowing in a It flows in one direction in the
circuit. circuit.

Current It is the current of magnitude varying with It is the current of constant

time magnitude.

Flow of Electrons keep switching directions - forward Electrons move steadily in one
Electrons and backward. direction or 'forward'.

Obtained A.C Generator and mains. Cell or Battery.

from
 Alternating Current versus Direct Current comparison chart

Alternating Current Direct Current

Passive Impedance. Resistance only
Parameters

Power Lies between 0 & 1. it is always 1.

Factor

Types Sinusoidal, Trapezoidal, Triangular, Square. Pure and pulsating.

Contents: AC vs DC (Alternating Current vs

Direct Current)
 1 Origins of AC and DC current
 2 Video Comparing Alternating and Direct Current
 3 Use of transformers with Alternating Current
 4 Storage and Conversion From AC to DC and Vice Versa
 5 References

Alternating and Direct current. The horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis represents
voltage.

Origins of AC and DC current

A magnetic field near a wire causes electrons to flow in a single direction along
the wire, because they are repelled by the negative side of a magnet and
attracted toward the positive side. This is how DC power from a battery was
born, primarily attributed to Thomas Edison's work.
AC generators gradually replaced Edison's DC battery system because AC is
safer to transfer over the longer city distances and can provide more power.
Instead of applying the magnetism along the wire steadily, scientist Nikola Tesla
used a rotating magnet. When the magnet was oriented in one direction, the
electrons flowed towards the positive, but when the magnet's orientation was
flipped, the electrons turned as well.