direct current

Thân thiện

A battery provides direct current to power a small flashlight.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A steady, unidirectional flow of electric charge: Direct current is an electric current that flows in a single, constant direction, from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of its source.

Usage

Direct current (often abbreviated as DC) is used to describe a fundamental type of electrical power. It contrasts with alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction. - As a subject: Direct current is commonly supplied by batteries. - As an object: This device requires direct current to operate. - With modifiers: Low-voltage direct current is used in many electronic circuits.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "Pure direct current": Refers to a current with no fluctuations or ripple in its magnitude.
  • Laboratory instruments often require a pure direct current for accurate measurements.
• "Pulsating direct current": Refers to a current that flows in one direction but varies in magnitude over time.
  • The output of a simple rectifier circuit is a pulsating direct current.

Variants and Related Words

• DC (abbreviation): The standard abbreviation for "direct current."
  • The label says "Input: 12V DC."
• Direct-current (adjective): Used to describe devices or systems that use or involve DC.
  • A direct-current motor is more efficient for this application.

Synonyms

• Steady current: Emphasizes the constant, non-varying nature of the flow.
• Unidirectional current: Emphasizes the single direction of the flow.

Related Phrases

• Direct current circuit: An electrical circuit powered by a DC source.
  • Analyzing a direct current circuit involves Ohm's law.
• Direct current component: In a complex signal, the part that represents the average value or zero-frequency component.
  • The oscilloscope can measure the direct current component of the signal.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an electric current that flows in one direction steadily

Từ đồng nghĩa

• DC
• direct electric current