Direct current is characterized by uninterrupted flow of electrons toward which pole?

• A. Positive pole
• B. Negative pole
• C. Alternating between poles
• D. Pulsed

Answer: (A)

Direct current means electrons move in one steady direction. In a powered DC circuit, electrons flow from the negative terminal toward the positive terminal of the source. The negative pole has an excess of electrons, and they move to the positive pole to complete the circuit, so the destination of the electron flow is the positive terminal. This unidirectional movement is what sets DC apart from alternating current, where direction changes. (Note that conventional current is described as flowing from positive to negative, which is opposite to the actual electron flow.)