Edexcel GCSE Physics · 1PH0
Specification 10.33 · Paper 2
Revise: DC vs AC VoltageThe central difference between direct and alternating voltage is what happens to this polarity over time.
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
GCSE Physics · key term
A voltage whose polarity repeatedly reverses, so each terminal alternates between being positive and negative relative to the other.
Used by Edexcel
Specification 10.33 · Paper 2
Revise: DC vs AC VoltageThe central difference between direct and alternating voltage is what happens to this polarity over time.
On a voltage–time graph, identify a direct voltage by its unchanged polarity: the trace stays on one side of 0 V. An alternating voltage crosses 0 V and takes both positive and negative values.
Do not say merely that an alternating voltage “changes”. Its defining feature is that its polarity reverses repeatedly; a varying voltage that never reverses polarity is still direct.
Create a free account to read GCSE Physics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.