Invention of Alternating Current

[Nugso]

Hello physicsforums. I'd like to apologize for submitting such a fool thread. Anyway, I'm in disagreemeent with my friend who thinks it was Nikola Tesla who invented AC, but I insist that it was not him. I tried to google it, but I have yet to find a proper answer. He's like, " My physics teacher said it was Tesla, I even asked an engineer about it and he said it was Tesla too". So, how can I convince him that it was not Tesla? ( Assuming it was not really Tesla)

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Nugso!

Have you tried http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternating_current#History ?

 

[Nugso]

Hi Nugso!

Have you tried http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternating_current#History ?

Hi tiny-tim. :D Yes, I even tried to show it to him. Unfortunately he doesn't speak English and hence doesn't understand the article. The turkish version of the article says it was invented by Tesla. Huh.

 

[tiny-tim]

Your Turkish physics teacher doesn't read English?

Then give up! ​

 

[Nugso]

Well, I think I can safely say that 90+% of the high school(not the ones in university) physics teachers in Turkey can speak English. ( I'm not trying to offend them, I'm merely telling the truth. I, myself, don't speak very good English either)

I still do need to prove him, though. :P

 

[Averagesupernova]

Tesla is very much responsible for what we have today for our AC power system. I think to say that he invented AC is probably wrong. Seriously, how can you say who the first person was to make current flow back and forth in a wire at a repetitive rate?

 

[AlephZero]

Translate the engilsh web page into turkish with google, or whatever.

According to the english wiki, the first AC system was demonstrated in 1832. The first practical application was in 1855. Tesla was born in 1856.

But that probably isn't enough proof for Tesla conspiracy theorists. Tesla must have told those other guys about the idea in a previous reincarnation.

 

[UltrafastPED]

Tesla is famous because he invented the polyphase AC motor which made AC systems useful for industryl.

One advantage of AC is that it is very easy to transform the voltage - using transformers to step it up or down as needed. This allows for improved transmission efficiency by reducing the current and thus the Joule heating is reduced.

It was always easy to generate AC currents, just hard to make good use of them for industry, even though the advantages were understood.

 

[Nugso]

@Averagesupernova; Can't we? Someone who first noticed the thing that occurs/exists whenever a magner next to a soil is moved from north to south can probably be considered the "inventor" of AC. Not sure though.

@AlephZero; I guess, then, I'll have to edit the Turkish wiki page and write what should have been written before. He'll probably believe me then! I used to be a Tesla conspiracy theorist, so I kind of understand him, but yes, the only proof that would have been enough for him is the very quote of Tesla saying " I didn't invent AC".

@UltrafastPED; So Tesla sort of made it easier for industries to use AC, right?


Thanks to all of you, by the way!

 

[UltrafastPED]

@UltrafastPED; So Tesla sort of made it easier for industries to use AC, right?

It was long thought that an AC motor was impossible; its importance is on a par with the steam engine.

Here is some history: http://edisontechcenter.org/electricmotors.html

 

[Nugso]

It was long thought that an AC motor was impossible; its importance is on a par with the steam engine.

Here is some history: http://edisontechcenter.org/electricmotors.html

Thanks for the link. Currently looking into it. By the way, I posted that link to my friend but he didn't believe anything in it since its url is 'edison'techcenter. ( not even kidding, 100% true)