Question

what is alternating current and how it could be changed in to direct current?

Answer 1

AC is short for alternating current. This means that the direction of current flowing in a circuit is constantly being reversed back and forth. This is done with any type of AC current/voltage source.

AC to DC is easy, you bring down the voltage with a transformer, and you rectify the current with Diodes, mostly a diode bridge which is a collection of 4 diodes to split the Negative from the Positive current. A Capacitor will than sit between the Positive and the Negative to flatten the current to DC which is like a straight line of current, unlike the AC which is like waves.

Answer 2

In alternating current (AC, also ac), the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current (DC, also dc), the flow of electric charge is only in one direction.
The abbreviations AC and DC are often used to mean simply alternating and direct, as when they modify current or voltage.
AC is the form in which electric power is delivered to businesses and residences. The usual waveform of an AC power circuit is a sine wave. In certain applications, different waveforms are used, such as triangular or square waves. Audio and radio signals carried on electrical wires are also examples of alternating current. In these applications, an important goal is often the recovery of information encoded (or modulated) onto the AC signal.

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The process is known as rectification.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternating_current

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectifier

Answer 3

then they use capacitors to smooth out the wave

Answer 4

You can change alternating correct to Direct current by using Rectifiers..

Answer 5

or, use a motor that uses alternating current to run a generator the produces dc current :)