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What does alternating current mean?

Looking for the meaning or definition of the word alternating current? Here's what it means.

Noun
  1. an electric current in which the direction of flow of the electrons reverses periodically, such as sawtooth, sinusoidal or square wave current.
  2. an electric current in which the direction of flow of the electrons reverses periodically by a sinusoidal law, hence having an average of zero, with positive and negative values (with a frequency of 50 Hz in Europe, 60 Hz in the US, 400 Hz for airport lighting, and some others); especially such a current produced by a rotating generator or alternator.
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Examples
Like an alternating current, the atmosphere of the reef flickers between urgent desire and cold, murderous cupidity.
They connect only through tie lines where power must be converted from alternating current to direct current and back again.
The three-phase alternating current motor puts out a peak 35kW to conventional steel half-shafts hooking up with each wheel.
On an oscilloscope, standard alternating current power looks like a wave with peaks and valleys occurring 60 times a second.
It works by moving a magnet through a coil of wire and produces a alternating current which must then be rectified by the use of diodes.
A strong, alternating current heats a resistive filament, causing it to emit electrons.

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