Physics GCSE
Alternating voltage
What Alternating voltage means in Physics GCSE, as defined for OCR.
Definition of Alternating voltage
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Alternating voltage in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
Repeatedly reverses polarity, so the potential difference swings between positive and negative values and the current changes direction each cycle.
Topics that use Alternating voltage
- Powering Earth (OCR GCSE)
Related terms
- Alternating current in the home
- Changing potential difference in power transfer
- Danger of the live wire with an open switch
- Direct voltage
- earth wire
- fossil fuels
- Frequency of the UK mains supply
- High-voltage transmission advantages
Using Alternating voltage in the exam
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