____ oscillates at 60 cycles per second, ____ has a constant value, either positive or negative.

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Multiple Choice

____ oscillates at 60 cycles per second, ____ has a constant value, either positive or negative.

Oscillating current means alternating current (AC) because AC changes direction and magnitude over time, reversing polarity each cycle. When we say 60 cycles per second, that describes a frequency of 60 Hz, which is a hallmark of AC power in many regions. A constant value, either positive or negative, describes direct current (DC). DC flows in one direction with a fixed magnitude (in an ideal case), so its polarity remains constant over time. So the thing that oscillates at 60 cycles per second is AC, and the thing that stays constant in value is DC. In practice, this is why household power is AC at 60 Hz in many places, while batteries supply DC.

Oscillating current means alternating current (AC) because AC changes direction and magnitude over time, reversing polarity each cycle. When we say 60 cycles per second, that describes a frequency of 60 Hz, which is a hallmark of AC power in many regions.

A constant value, either positive or negative, describes direct current (DC). DC flows in one direction with a fixed magnitude (in an ideal case), so its polarity remains constant over time.

So the thing that oscillates at 60 cycles per second is AC, and the thing that stays constant in value is DC. In practice, this is why household power is AC at 60 Hz in many places, while batteries supply DC.

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