What type of electrical current flows only in one direction?

Direct current flows only in one direction. This means that the electric charge (or current) moves consistently in a single path from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of a power source, such as a battery. In contrast, alternating current periodically reverses direction, meaning the charge moves back and forth in a circuit. Pulsating current can vary in intensity but generally still involves some periodic change, which suggests directional shifts rather than a steady flow. The term "lossy current" is not commonly used to describe a type of current; it may relate to electrical losses in the system rather than the directionality of the current flow. Understanding that direct current maintains a constant flow in one direction helps clarify which type of current is being described in this question.