Final answer:
Rapid, interrupted electric current that changes direction periodically is known as alternating current (AC), which varies in magnitude over time and is used to power homes and businesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rapid, interrupted electric current that flows in one direction then in the opposite direction is called alternating current (AC). Unlike direct current (DC), which flows continuously in one direction, alternating current changes direction at regular intervals. The magnitude of the current in an AC circuit also varies with time, typically in a sinusoidal pattern, which allows efficient transmission of energy over long distances.
Alternating current is the type of electrical current that is delivered to homes and businesses worldwide. It operates differently from direct current in that the flow of charge periodically reverses direction. This characteristic is what enables alternating current to be used in many of our daily applications, including powering appliances and electronics.
The unit of measurement for current is the ampere, which is defined as one coulomb of charge passing a given point per second (1 A = 1 C/s).