What is current from a battery known as?

Study for the NEIEP Basic Electricity (330) Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam today!

Current from a battery is known as direct current, which is characterized by the flow of electric charge in one constant direction. This is due to the way batteries generate electricity; they create a steady potential difference (voltage) between their terminals, causing electrons to flow uniformly from the negative terminal to the positive terminal. In contrast, alternating current is the type of electricity generated by power plants and used in most household outlets, where the flow of electric charge changes direction periodically. Reactive current is associated with the reactive components of an AC circuit, such as inductors and capacitors, that store energy temporarily, and cyclic current, while not commonly used, would suggest a current that varies in a cycle, which does not accurately describe the behavior of battery current. Thus, direct current is the specific term used for the unidirectional current provided by batteries, making it the correct choice.

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