Video Transcript
A company is making circuits. They need their circuits to have a
constant electric current that does not change direction. What is their best choice for a
source of electric current?
In this question, we are told that
a company is making circuits and they want their circuits to have a constant
electric current that does not change direction. We’re asked to decide what the best
source for that current would be.
Recall that there are two types of
electric current: direct current and alternating current. A direct current is a current that
stays at a constant magnitude and does not change direction. An alternating current has a
varying magnitude. The direction of an alternating
current repeatedly reverses, with equal time intervals between reversals of
direction.
We use different sources of
electric energy when we want to produce different types of electric current. One source that produces a direct
current is a chemical battery. The reaction of the chemicals will
produce a constant current that is always from the positive terminal of the battery
to its negative terminal. An electric energy source that can
produce an alternating current is a dynamo. A dynamo is a type of electrical
generator that will produce a current that varies in magnitude and direction.
Because the company wants a
constant electric current that also does not change direction, a chemical battery
would be the best option for them. This then is our answer.
