I have a question about AC Circuitry (as it relates to my antenna
system) where I cannot seem to arrive at an answer by reading reference
material:

The mechanics of current flow as it relates to a 1/4~ vertical
working against ground and separately, in comparison as it relates to
the dipole elements.

Is an AC circuit like DC, whereas there must be a ground return path
for a "flow" to happen ?

RE Dipole: If yes, then I get confused when thinking about ac current
flow relative to a dipole antenna. I can image current flow on the
center conductor side, since it seems the current +/- can keep going
back and forth from the transceiver to the end of the antenna element
(independent of the braid or other half side). But, it is hard to
understand how current can go back and forth on the braid side, since
it has a path to ground. Seems like on the braid side the current would
make its way down to the end of the dipole element and then start back,
but go right to the low impedance ground and be gone.

Vertical 1/4~: Again, here I image the ground side of the AC
circuit works as described above. But I read references to radials on
the ground side "collecting and returning ground currents" and that
confuses me. Returning currents to where ?, the current as pushed out
on the braid side seems to be where it was supposed to go - to ground.

Do both "legs" of AC current push out on the + and "pull" back on the -
, independent of 'ground' ?

I don't have an elec or engnr backgound so if you please to help me
understand, please try hard to keep it very basic. I just cannot use
math and AC formulas yet.

thanks, and 73, dennis