Cathodic Protection Tester Practice Exam

What type of current flows in a circular path with charges flowing towards and away from each other?

1. Direct current

2. Alternating current

3. Static current

4. Indirect current

The correct answer is: Alternating current

The type of current described in the question flows in a circular path, with charges moving towards and away from each other. This description aligns perfectly with alternating current (AC), where the flow of electrical charge periodically reverses direction. In an alternating current system, the voltage also changes direction periodically, which leads to the flow of electrons moving in one direction, then reversing and moving in the opposite direction, creating that circular path. Direct current (DC), in contrast, flows in a single direction and does not exhibit this back-and-forth movement of charges. Static current is not classified as a flowing current at all, as it refers to a stationary charge. Indirect current is not a standard term used in electrical theory and does not represent any recognized type of electrical current. Therefore, the correct identification of alternating current emphasizes the unique characteristics of how AC operates compared to other forms of current.