Current Semantics
Most recent answer: 10/22/2007
Q:
DC and AC mean Direct Current and Alternating Current respectively. so what is the sense behind saying DC Current or AC Current? Similarly, why don’t we simply say Direct or Alternating Voltage rather than saying DC or AC Voltage? Does Direct Current Voltage or ALternating Current Voltage have any meaning?
- Vivek (age 15)
Swami Vivekanand Bal Vidya Mandir, Deoria, UP, India
- Vivek (age 15)
Swami Vivekanand Bal Vidya Mandir, Deoria, UP, India
A:
You’re right that the standard usage doesn’t quite make sense when you consider the origins of the terms. However, language evolves along strange lines, not as a purely logical system.
Mike W.
They’d have to rename the rock band to AV/DV! It sounds too much like video acronyms though. We’re stuck with the hystorical (hysterical?) names, I’m afraid.
Alternating voltages do produce alternating currents in resistive loads (and many loads with reactance too, like electric motors).
Tom
Mike W.
They’d have to rename the rock band to AV/DV! It sounds too much like video acronyms though. We’re stuck with the hystorical (hysterical?) names, I’m afraid.
Alternating voltages do produce alternating currents in resistive loads (and many loads with reactance too, like electric motors).
Tom
(published on 10/22/2007)