What is a major advantage of alternating current (AC) over direct current (DC)?

One of the major advantages of alternating current (AC) is its ability to easily be transformed to different voltage levels using a transformer. This capability allows for efficient transmission of electrical power over long distances. When the voltage is increased, the current is decreased, which minimizes the energy lost as heat due to resistance in the wires. This is particularly important for power distribution systems, where electricity generated at power plants can be transmitted over vast distances before being transformed down to usable voltage levels for homes and businesses.

Transformers work specifically with AC, as they rely on the changing magnetic fields generated by AC to transfer energy between circuits. This is not possible with direct current (DC), where voltage conversion is much less efficient and typically requires more complex methods such as inverters or converters. Consequently, AC is favored for most large-scale power distribution systems due to its versatility and efficiency in voltage transformation.