Alternating Current System — Questions and answers
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What was the biggest problem with Direct Current (DC) electricity that Thomas Edison faced?
Choices
- It was too dangerous for homes.
- It only worked in the daytime.
- It lost too much power when sent over long distances. ✓
- It made lamps flicker too much.
Answer: It lost too much power when sent over long distances.
From page 1
Why did George Westinghouse think Edison's DC system was "uneconomical" or too expensive?
Choices
- It used too much coal to make electricity.
- It required many small power stations close to homes, and a lot of expensive copper wire. ✓
- It broke down too often and needed constant repairs.
- It didn't make enough light for city streets.
Answer: It required many small power stations close to homes, and a lot of expensive copper wire.
From page 2
What big new idea did Nikola Tesla have for how electricity could work?
Choices
- He wanted to make electricity from sunlight.
- He thought electricity could flow only in one direction, but faster.
- He imagined electricity that could reverse its direction rhythmically to create a rotating magnetic field. ✓
- He wanted to store electricity in giant batteries underground.
Answer: He imagined electricity that could reverse its direction rhythmically to create a rotating magnetic field.
From page 3
What were some of the tough problems Tesla and Westinghouse had to solve when building the new AC system?
Choices
- They couldn't find enough copper wire to use.
- The lights they made were not bright enough.
- They had issues with insulating high voltages, preventing overheating, and making sure all parts worked together perfectly. ✓
- The system was too loud and scared people away.
Answer: They had issues with insulating high voltages, preventing overheating, and making sure all parts worked together perfectly.
From page 4
What was a big advantage of Tesla's AC induction motor compared to older DC motors?
Choices
- It was much smaller and lighter.
- It didn't make any noise when it ran.
- It didn't need brushes or commutators, which meant less maintenance and more reliable power. ✓
- It could run on water instead of electricity.
Answer: It didn't need brushes or commutators, which meant less maintenance and more reliable power.
From page 7
What was the "War of the Currents" mostly about?
Choices
- A fight over who invented the light bulb.
- Thomas Edison trying to make people scared of AC electricity, even though AC had many benefits. ✓
- A disagreement about how much electricity should cost.
- A debate about whether electricity should be used in homes or just factories.
Answer: Thomas Edison trying to make people scared of AC electricity, even though AC had many benefits.
From page 8
What big project showed everyone that Alternating Current (AC) could send power very far away?
Choices
- Lighting up the Eiffel Tower for the first time.
- Sending electricity from New York to California.
- Using the power of Niagara Falls to send electricity over twenty miles to Buffalo. ✓
- Building the first electric train.
Answer: Using the power of Niagara Falls to send electricity over twenty miles to Buffalo.
From page 9
What is the most important way Alternating Current (AC) helps our world today?
Choices
- It helps us send messages across the ocean.
- It powers almost everything in our modern world, from big factories to tiny computers. ✓
- It helps us build faster cars.
- It keeps our food fresh in refrigerators.
Answer: It powers almost everything in our modern world, from big factories to tiny computers.
From page 10