Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Alternating current is an electric current that periodically reverses direction. It constantly changes its magnitude and flows back and forth within the circuit.
Related terms
Direct Current (DC): An electric current that flows in only one direction, typically produced by batteries or power supplies.
Frequency: The number of complete cycles of an alternating current per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
Amplitude: The maximum value or magnitude of an alternating current or voltage.