Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec.

School
[Alternating Current]

XII-PHYSICS [Part I]

UNIT- IV [ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION AND ALTERNATING CURRENT]

{8 Marks}

CHAPTER - 7 (ALTERNATING CURRENT)

Contents: Alternating currents, peak and rms value of alternating

current/voltage; reactance and impedance; LC oscillations
(qualitative treatment only), LCR series circuit, resonance; power in
AC circuits, wattless current.

INTRODUCTION:

Q. What is alternating current (a.c.)?

A. Alternating current (a.c.) is one which changes its magnitude and direction
periodically. The maximum value of the current is called its amplitude.

If is the frequency of a.c., then it is expressed as

I  I 0 Sint

Similarly, the alternating voltage (or emf) is

V  V0 Sint

NOTE: - The phrases ac voltage and ac current are contradictory and

redundant, respectively, since they mean, literally, alternating
current voltage and alternating current current. Still, the
abbreviation ac to designate an electrical quantity displaying
simple harmonic time-dependence has become so universally
accepted that we follow others in its use. Further, voltage –
another phrase commonly used means potential difference
between two points.

Q. Give two main advantages of using A.C. over D.C.

A. 1. A.C. voltages can be easily and efficiently converted (stepped-up or

stepped-down) from one voltage to the other by means of transformers.

2. Electrical energy (A.C.) can also be transmitted economically over long

distances.
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

Q. What is a purely ‘resistive’ circuit? Prove that the voltage and current are in the
same phase in a purely resistive circuit.

A. An electrical circuit which consists of

resistor(s) only and no other active
devices is called a purely resistive circuit.

Let us consider one such circuit across

which ends is connected a sinusoidal
input voltage given by

V  V0 sin t ----------------------- (1)

Where V0 = amplitude of the voltage
ω = 2πf = angular frequency of the sine wave.

The simplified fig. is as shown below

Applying KVL to the loop, we have

+(IR) = +V

 V0 sin t

V 
 I (t )   0  sin t
R

 I 0 sin t ------------------ (2)

V0
Where I 0  is the amplitude of current through the circuit.
R

Thus, comparing eqns. (1) and (2), we find that the current and the voltage are
in phase with each other. In other words, no phase difference exists between the
two, i.e.,   00 .
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

Q. Calculate the average power dissipated during one complete a.c. cycle of a
purely resistive circuit. (3M)

A. In a purely resitive circuit,

V (t )  V0 sin t ------------------ (1)

And I (t )  I 0 sin t ------------------- (2)

Therefore, the instantaneous power delivered to the resistor is

P(t )  V (t )  I (t )

 V0 sin t  I 0 sin t

 V0 I 0 sin 2 t

 V0 
 I 02 R sin 2 t ---------------- (3)  R  I 0 
 

Thus, the average power consumed/dissipated across the resistor during one
complete a.c. cycle is:
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

Pavg  P  I 02 R sin 2 t  I 02 R sin 2 t -------------- (4)

Now, we know that for every function F(t),

1 T
T t 0
F (t )  F (t )dt

T
1
So that, sin t   sin 2t.dt
2

T t 0

1  1  cos 2t 
T

  dt
T 0 2 

1 T T

   dt   cos 2tdt 
2T  0 0 


  sin 2t  
T


1
T  0    
2T 
  2  0  

1   sin 2T  sin 00 

 T   
2T   2 

1  sin 4   1 
 T  2   2T  2  2f  f  4 
2T  

1
 T sin 4  0
2T
1

2
Therefore, from eqn. (4) above, we have
2
1 I2  I 
Pavg  I R  0 R   0  R
2
0
2 2  2
 I rms
2
R ; where I rms is the root mean square value of current,
also known as current rating or the effective value of current.
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

Q. What is rms value of current and rms value of voltage?

 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

A. In statistics, a typical value of a number of values of a single quantity

measured ‘n’ times and whose average value is given by:

x12  x22  x32  x42  ............  xn2

n

is called its root mean square (r.m.s.) value. Sometimes, it is often known as
the effective value. Another name for rms value is voltage rating or current
rating or power rating.

Q. A light bulb is rated at 100W for a 220V supply. Find (a) the resistance of the
bulb; (b) the peak voltage of the source; and (c) the rms value of current
through the bulb.

A. Given:
Power rating, Prms = 100W
Voltage rating, Vrms = 220V
2
Vrms
(a) We have, Prms 
R
V2 220  220
 R  rms   484 
Prms 100
V0
(b) We have, Vrms 
2
V0  2Vrms  1.414  220  311 .08V
Vrms 220 220 10 5
(c) We have, I rms      A
R 484 22  22 22 11
[Or, Prms  Vrms  I rms
Prms 100 5
So that, I rms    A ]
Vrms 220 11

Q. The instantaneous voltage from an ac source is given by

V  300 sin 314t
What is the rms value of the source?

A. We have, V  300 sin 314t

V0  300V ;   314 revs. per sec.

Peak value of voltage = V0  300V

V0 300
Thus, rms value of voltage, Vrms    212.16V
2 1.414
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

Q. A sinusoidal voltage
V (t )  200 sin 314t
is applied to a resistor of 10 Ω resistance.

Calculate
(a) rms value of voltage
(b) rms value of current and
(C) power dissipated as heat in watt.

A. Given:
V (t )  200 sin 314t
; Resistance, R  10
So that, peak voltage V0  200V
V0 200
(a) rms value of voltage, Vrms    141.44V
2 1.414
Vrms 141.44
(b) rms value of current, I rms    14.144 A
R 10
(c) Average Power dissipated as heat Pavg  Vrms  I rms  cos  141.44  14.144  cos 0
0

Here, we have used the fact that in a purely resistive circuit, there is no
phase difference between voltage and current, i.e.,   00 .
 Pavg  2000 .527W  2kW

Q. What is a purely inductive circuit? Show that current lags behind the voltage

by a phase angle of . Also calculate the average power dissipated across the
2
inductor during one complete a.c. cycle.

A. A circuit which has negligible resistance but consists of only inductor(s) is

called a purely inductive circuit.

Such a circuit may be simplified as follows:

 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

Let us consider one such circuit which has an inductor ‘L’ across which is
connected an a.c source given by
V (t )  V0 sin t ------------------------ (1)
Applying KVL to the loop, we have
 dI   dI 
V  L   0 ; where  L  is the emf induced across the inductor.
 dt   dt 
 dI 
 V  L 
 dt 
 dI 
 V0 sin t  L 
 dt 
V0
Or, dI  sin tdt ----------------------- (2)
L
Integrating both sides of this eqn., we have
V
 dI   L0 sin tdt
V V  cost 
Or, I (t )  0  sin tdt  0  + C [Integration const.]
L L  
 V0
 cost  C
L
 0  cost   C
V
; where X L  L = inductive reactance
XL

 I 0  cost   C ---------------- (3)

This integration const. ‘C’ has the same dimensions as electric current and is
independent of time ‘t’. So, applying the necessary initial conditions, we have
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

C = 0.

Thus, the above eqn. may be re-written as:


 
I (t )  I 0  sin   t   0  sin 90 0

   cos 
 2 

 
 I 0 sin  t   ------------ (4) sin    sin  
 2

Upon comparing eqns. (1) and (4), we find that current lags behind the

voltage by a phase angle of   .
2

The instantaneous power delivered to the inductor is given by

P(t )  V (t )  I (t )
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

 
 V0 sin t  I 0 sin  t  
 2

  
 V0 sin t   I 0 sin   t 
 2 

 
 V0 I 0 sin t  sin   t 
2 

 V0 I 0 sin t  cost

 V0 I 0
  2 sin t  cost
2

V   I 
  0    0  sin 2t
 2  2

 Vrms  I rms sin 2t

Therefore, the average power dissipated across the inductor during one
complete a.c. cycle is given by

Pavg  P(t )   Vrm s  I rm s sin 2t

 Vrms  I rms sin 2t ------------- (5)

But, we know that

T
1
sin 2t   sin 2tdt
T t 0

 1  cos 2t 
T


T  2  0


1
2T

cos 2T  cos 00 
1
 cos 4  1
4

1
 1 1  0
4

Therefore, Pavg  Vrms  I rms  0  0

 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

In other words, no power gets dissipated or gets consumed in the inductor

during one complete a.c. cycle. Such type of current which draws no power
by the purely inductive circuit is called ‘wattles current’.

Q. A pure inductor of 25.0 mH is connected to a source of 220 V. Find the

inductive reactance and rms current in the circuit if the frequency of the source
is 50 Hz.

A. Given:

Inductance, L = 25.0 mH  25 10 3 H

Vrms  220V

Frequency, f  50 Hz

Therefore, inductive reactance, X L  L  2fL  2  3.14  50  25 10 3

 7.85

Vrms 220
And, I rms    28 A
R 7.85

Q. What is the power dissipated by an ideal inductor in an a.c. circuit? Explain.

A. The average power dissipated during one complete a.c. cycle across the ideal
inductor is

R
Pavg  Vrms I rms cos ; where cos  is the power factor.
Z

In an ideal inductor, the current lags behind the voltage by a phase angle of
   
  so that cos  cos    cos  0 .
2  2 2

 Pavg  Vrms  I rms  0  0

Q. In India, domestic power line is supplied at 220V/50Hz; while in the US or in

developed countries it is at 110V/50Hz. Give one advantage and
disadvantage of 220V supply over the 110V supply.

A. Advantage: Line loss is low.

Disadvantage: High voltage is dangerous.

 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

Q. What is a purely capacitive circuit? Prove that in a purely capacitive circuit the

electric current leads the voltage by a phase angle of . Also, obtain the
2
average power dissipated across the capacitor during one complete a.c. cycle.

A. A purely capacitive circuit is one which consists of capacitor(s) only and no

other active devices are present.

Let us consider one such circuit as shown in fig. shown below:

Let an a.c source be connected across the capacitor given by

V (t )  V0 sin t ------------------------ (1)

We know that the capacitance of the capacitor is given by

q
C -------------------- (2) ; where ‘q’ is the magnitude of charge
V
developed on either plate of the capacitor.

From eqns. (1) and (2), we have

q
 V0 sin t
C

Or, q  CV0 sin t --------------- (3)

We know, electric current through the circuit is

 q  dq
I (t )  lim  
t 0 t
  dt


d
CV0 sin t   CV0 d sin t 
dt dt

 d 
 CV0  cost  d sin    cos 
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

V0      
 sin   t   sin  2  t   cost 
1
C 
2     

[Dividing both numerator and denominator by C ]

V0   1
sin   t 
 ; where X C  is the capacitive reactance
XC 2  C
(having the same unit as resistance).

 
 I (t )  I 0 sin  t   ------------------- (4)
 2

V0
where I 0  is the amplitude of current/ peak value of current.
XC

Upon comparing eqns. (1) and (4), we find that the electric current leads the

voltage by a phase angle of   .
2

Thus, the phasor diagram of a purely capacitive circuit is as shown below:

As studied earlier, the instantaneous power delivered to the capacitor is

P(t )  V (t )  I (t )

 
 P(t )  V0 sin t  I 0 sin   t 
2 

   
 V0 I 0 sin t cost  sin  2  t   cost 
   

 V  I 
  0  0 2 sin t cost
 2  2 
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

 Vrms I rms sin 2t ------------------ (5) sin 2t  2 sin t cost 
Therefore, the average power consumed/dissipated across the capacitor during
one complete a.c. cycle is

Pavg  P(t )  Vrm sI rm s sin 2t

 Vrms I rms sin 2t

T
1
T t 0
But, sin 2t  sin 2tdt

 1  cos 2t 
T


T  2  0


1
2T

cos 2T  cos 00 
1
 cos 4  1
4

1
 1 1  0
4

Therefore, Pavg  Vrms  I rms  0  0

In other words, no power gets dissipated or gets consumed in the capacitor

during one complete a.c. cycle. This means that during the first +ve half-
cycle of the input a.c., the capacitor plates may have charged which gets
discharged during the next –ve half-cycle.

Such type of current which draws no power by the purely capacitive circuit
is called ‘wattles current’.

Q. What is ‘wattless current’?

A. The type of electric current flow in a purely inductive or a purely capacitive

circuit, which draws no power during one complete a.c. cycle, is called
‘wattless current’.

Q. A pure capacitor is connected to an a.c. source of 220V/50Hz. What will be the

phase difference between current and applied emf in the circuit?
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

A. In a purely capacitive circuit, current leads the voltage by a phase angle of


 .
2

Q. What will be the effect on inductive reactance and capacitive reactance, if the
frequency of the a.c. source is increased?

A. We have: -

Inductive reactance, X L  L  2f L

Since  and L are constants, we may write

X L  f -------------------- (1)

Thus, on increasing the frequency of the a.c. source, the inductive reactance
also increases.

1 1
Similarly, capacitive reactance, X C  
C 2f C

Since  and C are constants, we may write

1
XC  --------------------- (2)
f

Thus, on increasing the frequency of the a.c. source, the capacitive reactance
decreases.

Q. What is the power dissipation in an a.c. circuit in which voltage and current
are given by

 
V (t )  300 sin  t  
 2

I (t )  5 sin t

  
A. Phase angle,    t    t 
 2 2

300 5
Therefore, Average Power dissipated, Pavg  Vrms I rms cos   0  0
2 2
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

Q. A 15.0F capacitor is connected to a 220V/50Hz source. Find the capacitive

reactance and the current (rms and peak) in the circuit. If the frequency is
doubled, what happens to the capacitive reactance and the current?

A. Given:

Capacitance, C = 15.0F  15  10 6 F ; Vrm s  220V ; frequency, f  50 Hz

1 1 1
Therefore, capacitive reactance, X C   
C 2fC 2  3.14  50  15  10 6

 212

Vrms 220
Effective Current through the circuit, I rms    1.04 A
X C 212

Peak value of current, I 0  2 I rms  1.414 1.04  1.47 A

1
If the frequency of the input a.c. supply is doubled, since X C  , the
f
capacitive reactance decreases to half of its initial value.

On the other hand, when the frequency is increased to double its initial
value, due to decrease in X C, there will be corresponding increase in I rms
(upto twice its initial value).

Q. Calculate the phase difference between electric current and voltage in a series
LCR circuit. What is ‘resonance’ in a series LCR circuit? Obtain the condition
for resonance to take place and hence derive the expression for resonant
frequency.

A. Let us consider a series LCR circuit, all connected in series. Let a sinusoidal,
time-varying a.c. source be connected to the circuit as shown below given by:

V (t )  V0 sin t ---------------------------- (1)

 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

If a time-varying electric current flows through the circuit, at any instant of

time ‘t’ it charges to the plates of capacitor to a value ‘q’.

The given circuit may be simplified as

Applying KVL to the loop, we have

q  dI 
IR   L   V (t )  V0 sin t ---------------------- (2)
C  dt 

 q  dq
We know, I (t )  lim  
t 0 t
  dt

dI d 2 q
 
dt dt 2

So that eqn. (2) takes the form

 d 2q   dq  q
L 2   R    V0 sin t ---------------------- (3)
 dt   dt  C

which is an equation similar to a damped, forced, harmonic oscillator whose

general solution is given by

q(t )  q0 sin t    ------------------------------- (4)

Differentiating both sides of this eqn. (4) w.r.t. time ‘t’, we get

 q0 sin t   

dq d
dt dt

 d 
 q0 cost    --------- (5)  d sin    cos 
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

Again, differentiating both sides of this eqn. w.r.t. time ‘t’, we get

d  dq  d
   q0 cost   
dt  dt  dt

d 2q  d 
  q0    sin t     d cos    sin  
dt 2

  2 q0 sin t    ------------------- (6)

dq d 2q
Now, substituting the values of q , and 2 in eqn. (3), we get
dt dt

 
L   2 q0 sin t     Rq0 cost    
1
C
q0 sin t     V0 sin t

 q0  X L sin t     R cost     X C sin t     V0 sin t

 q0  X C  X L sin t     R cost     V0 sin t

We now introduce a term called the ‘total impedance’ of the circuit ‘Z’ given
by Z  R 2   X C  X L  in the above expression as
2

 X  X L  
sin t     cost     V0 sin t
R
 q0 Z  C
 Z Z 

R X  X L  
 q0 Z  cost     C sin t     V0 sin t
Z Z 

Let us arbitrarily chose the following values

R
 cos and
 X C  X L   sin 
Z Z

 tan  
X C  X L 
R

  X C  X L 
Or,   tan 1   --------------- (7)
 R 

The above expression takes the form (Cos A Cos B + Sin A Sin B) = Cos (A-B)

     
q0 Z cost       V0 cos  t   cos 2  t   sin t 
2     
 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

L.H.S. = R.H.S. if and only if q0 Z  V0 and t          t 

2 

V0  
Or, q0   I0 and       
Z 2 2

 q0 sin t   

dq d
 I (t ) 
dt dt

 q0 cost   

  
 I 0 cos t    
 2 

  
 I 0 cos  t   
 2 

  
 I 0 cos   t   
 2 

 
 I 0 cos  t   
2 

 I 0 sin t    ----------------- (8)

Therefore, on comparing eqns. (1) and (8), we find that there is a phase
difference of  between current and voltage, given by

 XC  X L 
  tan 1   [------- Eqn. (7)]
 R 

The phasor diagram of the series LCR circuit is as shown below:

 Notes from K. Bijoy Singh, Lecturer (Physics), C.C. Hr. Sec. School
[Alternating Current]

  
The relationship between the phasors - VR , VL and VC and current I(t) is as
shown below: