What type of current is typically supplied by batteries?

Batteries typically supply direct current (DC) because they provide a constant flow of electric charge in one direction. This consistent flow is essential for powering electronic devices like flashlights, mobile phones, and many other portable electronics. The chemical reactions occurring within the battery generate a steady voltage, allowing for a stable and continuous current that is necessary for most battery-operated devices to function properly.

Alternating current (AC), on the other hand, reverses direction periodically and is commonly generated by power plants for household and industrial use. Variable current would imply changes in voltage or current flow, which is not the case with a standard battery output. Pulsed current involves a varying pattern of electrical signal that is not provided by a typical battery. Thus, the nature of battery output as a non-reverse, steady flow of electricity makes "direct current" the correct selection in this context.