1

[May/June 2004]

For
Examiners
Use

(a) Explain, in terms of heating effect, what is meant by the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value
of an alternating current.
..........................................................................................................................................

ky
a

..........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [2]

aS

ha

(b) State the relation between the peak current I0 and the r.m.s. current Irms of a
sinusoidally-varying current.

an
dr

.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) The value of a direct current and the peak value of a sinusoidal alternating current are
equal.
Determine the ratio

Ch

(i)

ratio = ..................................... [2]

State one advantage and one disadvantage of the use of alternating rather than
direct current in the home.

re

(ii)

ar
ra
ng
e

db
yS

aj
it

power dissipation in a resistor of resistance R by the direct current

.
power dissipation in the resistor of resistance R by the alternating current

nd

advantage ...............................................................................................................

da

...................................................................................................................................

pi
le

disadvantage ...........................................................................................................

Co
m

............................................................................................................................. [2]

For
Examiners
Use

(d) A current I varies with time t as shown in Fig. 5.1.

+4
+3

ky
a

I/A
+2

aS

ha

+1
0
0

an
dr

t / ms

3
4

For this varying current, state

ar
ra
ng
e

nd
da
pi
le
Co
m

peak value = ................................ A [1]

the r.m.s. value.

re

(ii)

the peak value,

db
yS

Fig. 5.1

aj
it

Ch

(i)

r.m.s. value = ................................ A [1]

[May/June 2007]

For
Examiners
Use

An ideal transformer has 5000 turns on its primary coil. It is to be used to convert a mains
supply of 230 V r.m.s. to an alternating voltage having a peak value of 9.0 V.

an
dr

aS

ha

ky
a

(a) Calculate the number of turns on the secondary coil.

Ch

number = [3]

Fig. 4.1

da

nd

re

ar
ra
ng
e

db
yS

aj
it

(b) The output from the transformer is to be full-wave rectified. Fig. 4.1 shows part of the
rectifier circuit.

On Fig. 4.1, draw

diode symbols to complete the diagram of the rectifier such that terminal A of the
[2]
resistor R is positive with respect to terminal B,

(ii)

the symbol for a capacitor connected to provide smoothing of the potential difference
across the resistor R.
[1]

Co
m

pi
le

(i)

For
Examiners
Use

(c) Fig. 4.2 shows the variation with time t of the smoothed potential difference V across the
resistor R.

t1

t2

t3

an
dr

aS

ha

ky
a

t4

State the interval of time during which the capacitor is being charged from the
transformer.

aj
it

(i)

Ch

Fig. 4.2

The resistance of the resistor R is doubled. On Fig. 4.2, sketch the variation with
time t of the potential difference V across the resistor.
[2]

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

ar
ra
ng
e

(ii)

db
yS

from time to time [1]

[May/June 2002]

11

For
Examiners
Use

(a) Two similar coils A and B of insulated wire are wound on to a soft-iron core, as
illustrated in Fig. 6.1.

an
dr

aS

ha

ky
a

soft-iron core

coil B

Fig. 6.1

Ch

coil A

aj
it

When the current I in coil A is switched on and then off, the variation with time t of the
current is shown in Fig. 6.2.

db
yS

ar
ra
ng
e

re

Fig. 6.2

da

nd

pi
le

Co
m

Fig. 6.3
On Fig. 6.3, draw a graph to show the variation with time t of the e.m.f. E induced in
coil B.
[3]

For
Examiners
Use

(b) Fig. 6.4 is the circuit of a bridge rectifier.

ky
a

aS

ha

load

Fig. 6.4

Ch

an
dr

aj
it

An alternating supply connected across PR has an output of 6.0 V r.m.s.

On Fig. 6.4, circle those diodes that are conducting when R is positive with respect
to P.
[1]

(ii)

Calculate the maximum potential difference between points Q and S, assuming

that the diodes are ideal.

potential difference = .............................. V

[2]

da

nd

re

ar
ra
ng
e

db
yS

(i)

State and explain how a capacitor may be used to smooth the output from the
rectifier. You may draw on Fig. 6.4 if you wish.

pi
le

(iii)

Co
m

...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................[3]

21 A sinusoidal alternating voltage is to be rectified. [October November 2009]

(a) Suggest one advantage of full-wave rectification as compared with half-wave
rectification.

For
Examiners
Use

..........................................................................................................................................

ky
a

.................................................................................................................................... [1]

ha

(b) The rectification is produced using the circuit of Fig. 7.1.

an
dr

aS

db
yS

Fig. 7.1

aj
it

Ch

All the diodes may be considered to be ideal.

voltage

ar
ra
ng
e

The variation with time t of the alternating voltage applied to the circuit is shown in
Fig. 7.2 and in Fig. 7.3.

da

nd

re

0
0

pi
le

Fig. 7.2

Co
m

voltage

0
0

Fig. 7.3

On the axes of Fig. 7.2, draw a graph to show the variation with time t of the potential
difference across diode A.
[1]

(ii)

On the axes of Fig. 7.3, draw a graph to show the variation with time t of the potential
difference across diode B.
[1]

(c) (i)

On Fig. 7.1, draw the symbol for a capacitor, connected into the circuit so as to
provide smoothing.
[1]

(ii)

Fig. 7.4 shows the variation with time t of the smoothed potential difference across
the resistor R in Fig. 7.1.

For
Examiners
Use

aS

ha

ky
a

(i)

db
yS

Fig. 7.4

aj
it

Ch

an
dr

potential
difference

1. State how the amount of smoothing may be increased.

..................................................................................................................................

ar
ra
ng
e

............................................................................................................................ [1]

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

2. On Fig. 7.4, draw the variation with time t of the potential difference across
resistor R for increased smoothing.
[2]

UCLES 2009

9702/41/O/N/09

[Turn over

25

(a) Explain what is meant by the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value of an alternating voltage.
..........................................................................................................................................

For
Examiners
Use

..........................................................................................................................................

ky
a

.................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) An alternating voltage V is represented by the equation

ha

V = 220 sin(120t),

aS

where V is measured in volts and t is in seconds.

(i)

an
dr

For this alternating voltage, determine

the peak voltage,

the r.m.s. voltage,

aj
it

(ii)

Ch

peak voltage = ........................................... V [1]

(iii)

the frequency.

db
yS

r.m.s. voltage = ........................................... V [1]

frequency = ......................................... Hz [1]

ar
ra
ng
e

(c) The alternating voltage in (b) is applied across a resistor such that the mean power
output from the resistor is 1.5 kW.

resistance = .......................................... [2]

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

Calculate the resistance of the resistor.

UCLES 2010

9702/43/M/J/10

10

aS

ha

240 V

an
dr

load

Ch

aj
it

Fig. 6.1

db
yS

(a) On Fig. 6.1, draw symbols for the four diodes so as to produce the polarity across the
load as shown on the diagram.
[2]
(b) Calculate the ratio

ratio = ................................................ [3]

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

ar
ra
ng
e

number of turns on the secondary coil .

number of turns on the primary coil

UCLES 2010

9702/41/M/J/10

For
Examiners
Use

ky
a

27 A student is asked to design a circuit by which a direct voltage of peak value 9.0 V is obtained
from a 240 V alternating supply.
The student uses a transformer that may be considered to be ideal and a bridge rectifier
incorporating four ideal diodes.
The partially completed circuit diagram is shown in Fig. 6.1.

11

The variation with time t of the current I in a resistor is shown in Fig. 6.1.

For
Examiners
Use

ky
a

an
dr

aS

ha

Fig. 6.1

Ch

The variation of the current with time is sinusoidal.

aj
it

(a) Explain why, although the current is not in one direction only, power is converted in the
resistor.

db
yS

..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................

ar
ra
ng
e

..................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) Using the relation between root-mean-square (r.m.s.) current and peak current, deduce
the value of the ratio

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

average power converted in the resistore .

maximum power converted in the resistor

UCLES 2010

ratio = ................................................ [3]

9702/43/O/N/10

12

An alternating current supply is connected in series with a resistor R, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

ha

aS

Fig. 6.1

an
dr

The variation with time t (measured in seconds) of the current I (measured in amps) in the
resistor is given by the expression
I = 9.9 sin(380t).

Ch

(a) For the current in the resistor R, determine

the frequency,

ar
ra
ng
e

db
yS

aj
it

(i)

frequency = .......................................... Hz [2]

the r.m.s. current.

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

(ii)

UCLES 2011

For
Examiners
Use

ky
a

r.m.s. current = ............................................ A [2]

9702/42/M/J/11

13
For
Examiners
Use

aS

ha

ky
a

(b) To prevent over-heating, the mean power dissipated in resistor R must not exceed
400 W.
Calculate the minimum resistance of R.

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

ar
ra
ng
e

db
yS

aj
it

Ch

an
dr

resistance = ........................................... [2]

UCLES 2011

9702/42/M/J/11

[Turn over

14

The variation with time t of the output V of an alternating voltage supply of frequency 50 Hz
is shown in Fig. 6.1.

For
Examiners
Use

20
V/V

ky
a

15

ha

10

aS

5
t1

t / ms

an
dr

Ch

10

20

(a) Use Fig. 6.1 to state

the time t1,

ar
ra
ng
e

(i)

db
yS

Fig. 6.1

aj
it

15

re

V0 = ............................................. V [1]

the root-mean-square voltage Vrms,

Co
m

pi
le

da

(iii)

the peak value V0 of the voltage,

nd

(ii)

t1 = ............................................ s [2]

(iv)

Vrms = .............................................. V [1]

the mean voltage <V >.

<V > = .............................................. V [1]

UCLES 2011

9702/41/O/N/11

[Turn over

15
For
Examiners
Use

aS

ha

ky
a

(b) The alternating supply is connected in series with a resistor of resistance 2.4 .
Calculate the mean power dissipated in the resistor.

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

ar
ra
ng
e

db
yS

aj
it

Ch

an
dr

power = ............................................. W [2]

UCLES 2011

9702/41/O/N/11

16

The components for a bridge rectifier are shown in Fig. 5.1.

For
Examiners
Use

load

aS

ha

supply

ky
a

an
dr

Fig. 5.1

(a) Complete the circuit of Fig. 5.1 by showing the connections of the supply and of the load
to the diodes.
[2]

Ch

(b) Suggest one advantage of the use of a bridge rectifier, rather than a single diode, for the
rectification of alternating current.

aj
it

..........................................................................................................................................

(c) State
what is meant by smoothing,

ar
ra
ng
e

(i)

db
yS

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. [1]
the effect of the value of the capacitance of the smoothing capacitor in relation to
smoothing.

re

(ii)

nd

..................................................................................................................................

da

..................................................................................................................................

Co
m

pi
le

............................................................................................................................. [2]

UCLES 2011

9702/43/O/N/11

[Turn over

17

A sinusoidal alternating voltage supply is connected to a bridge rectifier consisting of four

ideal diodes. The output of the rectifier is connected to a resistor R and a capacitor C as
shown in Fig. 6.1.

an
dr

aS

ha

Ch

Fig. 6.1

aj
it

The function of C is to provide some smoothing to the potential difference across R.

The variation with time t of the potential difference V across the resistor R is shown in Fig. 6.2.
6

db
yS

V/V
4

ar
ra
ng
e

2
10

20

30

40

50

60
t / ms

Fig. 6.2

re

(a) Use Fig. 6.2 to determine, for the alternating supply,

the peak voltage,

peak voltage = ............................................. V [1]

da

nd

(i)

the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) voltage,

Co
m

pi
le

(ii)

UCLES 2012

r.m.s. voltage = ............................................. V [1]

9702/41/M/J/12

For
Examiners
Use

ky
a

18

the frequency. Show your working.

For
Examiners
Use

ha

ky
a

(iii)

aS

frequency = ........................................... Hz [2]

determine the change in potential difference,

aj
it

Ch

(i)

an
dr

(b) The capacitor C has capacitance 5.0 F.

For a single discharge of the capacitor through the resistor R, use Fig. 6.2 to

determine the change in charge on each plate of the capacitor,

show that the average current in the resistor is 1.1 103 A.

Co
m

pi
le

da

(iii)

change = ............................................ C [2]

nd

re

ar
ra
ng
e

(ii)

db
yS

change = ............................................. V [1]

[2]

UCLES 2012

9702/41/M/J/12

[Turn over

19
For
Examiners
Use

aS

ha

ky
a

(c) Use Fig. 6.2 and the value of the current given in (b)(iii) to estimate the resistance of
resistor R.

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

ar
ra
ng
e

db
yS

aj
it

Ch

an
dr

resistance = ............................................. [2]

UCLES 2012

9702/41/M/J/12

20

A bridge rectifier consists of four ideal diodes A, B, C and D, connected as shown in Fig. 6.1.

Fig. 6.1
An alternating supply is applied between the terminals X and Y.

an
dr

aS

ha

On Fig. 6.1, label the positive (+) connection to the load resistor R.

[1]

Ch

(a) (i)

ky
a

R
X

State which diodes are conducting when terminal Y of the supply is positive.

aj
it

(ii)

diode .................... and diode ....................[1]

db
yS

(b) The variation with time t of the potential difference V across the load resistor R is
shown in Fig. 6.2.

ar
ra
ng
e

+8
+6
V/V
+4

re

+2

da

nd

pi
le

Co
m

UCLES 2012

For
Examiners
Use

Fig. 6.2

9702/43/O/N/12

21

The load resistor R has resistance 2700 .

Use Fig. 6.2 to determine the mean power dissipated in the resistor R.

aS

ha

ky
a

(i)

For
Examiners
Use

On Fig. 6.1, draw the symbol for a capacitor, connected so as to increase the mean
power dissipated in the resistor R.
[1]

Ch

(ii)

an
dr

power = ............................................ W [3]

aj
it

(c) The capacitor in (b)(ii) is now removed from the circuit.

The diode A in Fig. 6.1 stops functioning, so that it now has infinite resistance.

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

ar
ra
ng
e

db
yS

On Fig. 6.2, draw the variation with time t of the new potential difference across the
resistor R.
[2]

UCLES 2012

9702/43/O/N/12

[Turn over

22

(a) State Faradays law of electromagnetic induction.

..........................................................................................................................................

For
Examiners
Use

..........................................................................................................................................

ky
a

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

an
dr

aS

ha

(b) The output of an ideal transformer is connected to a bridge rectifier, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

load
resistor

db
yS

aj
it

Ch

240 V r.m.s.

ar
ra
ng
e

Fig. 6.1

The input to the transformer is 240 V r.m.s. and the maximum potential difference across
the load resistor is 9.0 V.
On Fig. 6.1, mark with the letter P the positive output from the rectifier.

(ii)

Calculate the ratio

[1]

re

(i)

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

number of turns on primary coil

.
number of turns on secondary coil

UCLES 2013

ratio = .................................................. [3]

9702/42/M/J/13

23

(c) The variation with time t of the potential difference V across the load resistor in (b) is
shown in Fig. 6.2.

For
Examiners
Use

Fig. 6.2

aj
it

Ch

an
dr

aS

ha

ky
a

(i)

db
yS

A capacitor is now connected in parallel with the load resistor to produce some
smoothing.
Explain what is meant by smoothing.

ar
ra
ng
e

..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. [1]
On Fig. 6.2, draw the variation with time t of the smoothed output potential
difference.
[2]

Co
m

pi
le

da

nd

re

(ii)

UCLES 2013

9702/42/M/J/13

[Turn over