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What alternating current looks like

What alternating current looks like

Oscilloscope screen with sine wave showing peak value V0, peak-to-peak height 2V0, and one cycle T across grid divisions

Alternating current reverses direction continuously, so its current and voltage vary with time. For a simple generator or mains-like supply, the graph is usually sinusoidal, with a maximum or peak value V0V_0V0​ or I0I_0I0​.

Alternating currents (A-level only) Lesson

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Alternating currents (A-level only)

Step-by-step lessons on AQA A Level Physics Alternating currents (A-level only). Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Physics is one of the most mathematically demanding A Levels -- at least 40% of the marks require maths skills at Level 2 (GCSE) standard or above, so build calculation and graph-handling fluency alongside the conceptual content from the start.

Lessons