The sine wave is a curved graph that shows electric cycles measured per second, called Hertz (Hz). DC stands for Direct Current. Unlike AC, it flows only in a certain direction and does not change ...

Electricity comes in two basic forms: Alternating Current (AC ... a generator in one box. You could spin the motor with 12V and have the generator produce a different voltage (even a DC voltage).

Figure caption, The potential difference-time graph for a dynamo A - The coil is at 0°. The coil is moving parallel to the direction of the magnetic field, so no potential difference is induced.

why do carmakers no longer use generators, which produce rich, creamery DC electricity? Why would it make any sense to generate AC, and then have to convert it to DC? As you probably guessed ...

Jeff suggests that you could replace the function generator with just a manual AC source by switching the leads on a battery back and forth. Some people call these AC to DC converters "wall warts ...