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Figure 1. DC Movement of Electrons in Wire
Figure 1. DC Movement of Electrons in Wire
In
1887 direct current (DC) was king. At that time there were 121 Edison power
stations scattered across the United States delivering DC electricity to its
customers. But DC had a great limitation -- namely, that power plants could only
send DC electricity about a mile before the electricity began to lose power. Direct
current is a bit easier to understand than alternating current. Rather than
oscillating back and forth, DC provides a constant voltage or current. Direct
current such as the power from dry cells is characterized by a uniform direction of
flow and amount (voltage) of electricity. Long ago, static electricity was the only
type of electricity known, but when batteries were invented, it became possible to
use DC electricity.
Direct current has uniform direction of flow and amount (voltage) of
electricity. DC is defined as the unidirectional flow of current; current only
flows in one direction. Direct current or DC electricity is the continuous
movement of electrons from an area of negative () charges to an area of positive
(+) charges through a conducting material such as a metal wire. Whereas static
electricity sparks consist of the sudden movement of electrons from a negative to
positive surface, DC electricity is the continuous movement of the electrons
through a wire. In reality, there are millions of electrons weaving their way among
the atoms in the wire.
Using our water analogy again, DC is similar to a tank of water with a hose at the
end.
As long as electrons are flowing through the atoms of the circuit, work is being
done. We can see that work is being done in this circuit because it lights the light
bulb. The actual amount of electrons that are flowing is determined by the type
and size of the battery as well as by the size and type of the light bulb. We could
reverse the polarity of the battery by switching the contacts (wires), and the
current would flow in the opposite direction and the bulb would still light.
Either way the battery is connected to the circuit, current can only flow in one
direction. Direct current (DC) can also be generated by means other than batteries.
Solar cells, fuel cells, and even some types of generators can provide DC current.