Evolution of Electricity
Many people take it for granted that you can turn on the lights in your house, but in 1898 electric light was a new technology. Scientific study of electricity started earlier with Volta, Ampere, Oerstead, and Franklin, but y 1898, Edison and Tesla were the giants in the field.
One time allies, competition between direct current (Edison’s plan) and alternating current (Tesla’s plan) forced these two inventors to separate and pursue their own paths.
|
This circuit uses direct current (DC).
|
Direct Current is the form most often associated with batteries. Here the electric charge flows from one terminal on a battery to the other through a circuit in the same direction. This works for small appliances but not for massive scale distribution. |
| Alternating Current has the electric charge moving through the circuit in alternating directions. Alternating current in the U.S. changes direction 60 times per second (60 Hertz or Hz). Alternating current also allows for efficient transmission of electricity from power plants to our homes. |
[return to top]
