CHAPTER 7 (b) The rms value of current in

ALTERNATING CURRENT an ac circuit is 10A.What is the peak

current?
1. Write the equations for the
instantaneous values of voltages and 5. Derive an expression for the
currents. current when an A.C. voltage
Ans: applied to a resistor. What is the
average power consumed in a
complete cycle?
Ans:

A.C voltages and currents are

represented by
v = vm sin t and
i = imsin t Consider an a.c. voltage
v instantaneous value of voltage v = vm sin t applied to a resistor R.
vm Peak value of voltage v= vm sint . (1)
Angular frequency Dividing equation (1) by R
v vm
t Phase angle t t sin t
R R
i instantaneous value of current i = im sint . (2)
im Peak value of current
From equations (1) and (2), we can
see that both the voltage and current
2. Define r.m.s. value of a.c. Give
are in phase.
the relation between the rms value
and the peak value.
Ans: r.m.s. value of a.c. is defined as
the d.c. equivalent which produces the
same amount of heat energy in same
time as that of an a.c.
Relation between r.m.s. value and
im
peak value is Irms =
2
vm Phasor diagram
vrms =
2
3[Q]. If the instantaneous current
from an ac source is 10sin 314t
ampere, what will be the effective
current in the circuit?

4[P]. (a) The peak voltage of an ac

supply is 300V. What is the rms
voltage? Average power consumed in a
complete cycle:

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 P = V rmsIr ms

6[P]. A 100-ohm resistor is =im sin (t - )
2
connected to a 220 V, 50 Hz supply.
(a) What is the rms value of i = imsin (t - 2 ) (2)
current in the circuit?
(b) What is the net power From equations (1) and (2) we
consumed over a full cycle? can see that the current lags behind

the voltage by a phase angle .
2
7. Derive the expression for
current in an A.C. circuit
containing an inductor only.
Ans:

Consider an AC voltage Phasor Diagram

v = vmsin t applied to an inductor
(L)
V = vm sin t .. (1)
By kirchhoffs voltage rule
di
vL 0
dt
di
vL
dt
di
Vm sin t = L
dt
vm 8. Define inductive reactance
di = sin t dt
L Ans: Inductive reactance (XL)
is the resistance offered by the
inductor towards the flow of a.c.
i di XL = L
SI unit of XL is ohm.
v
=
m
sin t dt
L 9. What is the average power
V cos t consumed by inductor in a complete
= m.
L cycle.
Vm Ans: Average power, P = 0
= ( cos t)
L
= im (-cos t), but L = XL is the 10[P]. A 44mH inductor is
inductive reactance connected to 220V, 50 Hz ac supply,

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 2
Determine the rms value of the
current in the circuit.

11. Derive an expression for the

current in an A.C circuit containing
a capacitor.
Ans:

Phasor Diagram

Consider an a.c. voltage

v = vm sin t applied to a circuit
containing a capacitor only.
v= vm sin t .. (1)
q
In a capacitor v =
C
q
= vmsin t 12. Define Capacitative reactance
C
(Xc)
dq d
i= (Cvm sin t) Ans: Capacitative reactance is the is
dt dt the resistance offered by the capacitor
d
= Cvm (sin t) towards the flow of a.c.
dt
1
= C vm cos t Xc = c
= (C)vm cos t SI unit of Xc is ohm.
vm cos t 1
, but Xc
= 1 C is the 13. Capacitor blocks dc. Why?

C Ans: In the case of d.c., = 0
capacitive reactance. 1 1 1
Vm So Xc = c c 0 0 . Since
i = X cos t reactance is infinity, capacitor blocks
L
d.c.
i = im cos t

i = im sin (t + 2
) (2) 14. What is the average power
consumed by a capacitor in a
From equations (1) and (2), We can complete cycle of a.c
see that the current leads the voltage P =0

Ans:
by a phase angle .
2
15[P]. A 60F capacitor is
connected to a 110V, 60Hz ac supply.
Determine the rms value of current
in the circuit

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16. What is meant by watt less
current (idle current)?
Ans: In an a.c. circuit containing an
inductor or capacitor only, the phase
difference between voltage and

current is .
2
Therefore, the average power
P = Vrms Irms cos

= Vrms Irmscos
2
= VrmsIrms0 = 0
Since the average power is zero, the
current in such circuits is called
wattles current.
Consider an a.c. voltage
v = vm sin t applied to a series
17[Q]. Show graphically the
circuit containing an inductor (L),
variation of Ohmic resistance, capacitor (C) and a resistor (R).
inductive reactance and capacitive
reactance with frequency of AC. (ii) Expression for current
From the phasor diagram, we can
see that current i leads the resultant
LCR Circuit
voltage by a phase angle .
18. For a series LCR circuit Therefore i = im sin (t + )
(i) Draw the phasor diagram If we assume VL > VC, we will
(ii) Give the expression for current obtain i = im sin (t + )
(iii) Derive an expression for Combining the above expressions,
impedance i = im sin (t )
(iv) Draw the impedance triangle
(v) Give the expression for the
(iii) Impedance
phase angle
Impedance (Z) means the total
Ans:
resistance offered by L, C and R
towards AC.
From the phasor diagram we have,
V = VR (VC VL )
2 2

At the maximum value of v and i

VR = imR, VC = imXC, VL = imXL
Therefore,
(i) Phasor Diagram Vm = (imR)2 (imXC imXL )2
Vm im2R 2 im2 (XC XL )2

Vm im R 2 (XC XL )2
Vm V
R 2 (XC XL )2 ; but m Z
im im

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 frequency is called resonance. The
Z R 2 (XC XL )2 , is
frequency at which resonance occurs is
called resonance frequency.
called the impedance of LCR circuit.
20. Derive an expression for the
1
Where, XC = c , is the capacitative resonance frequency.
Ans: Resonance condition is
reactance, XL = X C
XL = L, is the inductive reactance and
1
R is the ohmic resistance L0 = C
0
(iv) Impedance triangle 0
2 1
= LC
It is a right angled triangle, whose
base represents the ohmic resistance, 1
0 = ,where 0 is the
altitude represents the net reactance LC
(XC XL) and the hypotenuse resonance angular frequency
represents the impedance (Z) of LCR But 0= 2f0
circuit. Therefore, 2f0 =
1
LC

1
f =
0
2 LC , this is the
expression for resonance frequency
(f0)

(v) Phase Angle () 21. What is the value of impedance

From the impedance triangle, at resonance?
XC X L
Ans: We have Z R (XC XL )
2 2
tan = R
X XL
-1 C
At resonance XC = XL
= tan ThereforeZ = R 2 0 = R
R
If XC > XL, is positive, ie, the current Thus at resonance the entire applied
leads the voltage. voltage appears across R.
If XC < XL then is negative ie, the
current lags behind the voltage.
22. Define (i) Band width
19. Explain the resonance in a (ii) Sharpness (iii) Quality factor
series LCR circuit.
Ans: For a particular frequency of a.c. Ans: (i)Band width ()
voltage (0) XL becomes equal to XC, Band width is defined as the
then impedance
difference between the
Z R (XC XL )
2 2
frequencies on either side of
becomes minimum (Z=R). Hence resonance frequency for which
maximum current flows through the
1
circuit. This phenomenon in which the the value of current is times
current through an LCR circuit, 2
becomes maximum at a particular the peak value at resonance.

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 L 1
Q = R or Q = R CR
C 1
Note:-
Quality factor and sharpness are
numerically equal.

23. Derive an expression for the

average power consumed by a series
LCR circuit in a complete cycle of
ac.
Band width, = U - L
Ans: In an LCR circuit the
L is the Lower cut off frequency and
instantaneous value of voltage is
U is the Upper cut off frequency
v = vm sint and that of current is
Note :- The resonance curve is I = imsin(t +)
sharp if the band width is small. The average power consumed in a
complete cycle
T

(ii) Sharpness of resonance Pdt

The peak value of current at P 0
T
resonance depends only on the ohmic
1T
resistance (R) of the circuit. If the = T vidt
value of R is small the peak value of 0
current is high at resonance frequency. 1T
= T vm sin t.im sin(t )dt
0
=
vmim T 1
[cos(t (t )) cos(t t )]dt
T 0 2
T
v i
[cos() cos(2t )]dt
m m
= 2T
0

vmi m T T
= 2T cos dt cos(2t )]dt
0 0
Sharpness of LCR circuit is vmi m T
= 2T cos dt 0
defined as the ratio of resonant 0
T
frequency to the band width
v mi m
= 2T cos dt
0
0
v i
cos t 0
T
S = m m
= 2T
U L
vmi m
= 2T cos T 0
(iii) Quality factor (Q)
Q- factor is defined as the ratio vmi m
cos
= 2
of inductive reactance or
vm im
capacitative reactance to the = cos
2 2
resistance at resonance.
= VrmsIrmscos

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 6
 P
= vrmsIrms cos
The term VrmsIrms is called apparent
power and the term cos is called
power factor.
From the impedance triangle we have
R
cos = Z 26. Given below are two electric
In the case of resistor,
= 0 circuits A and B. What is the ratio of
P = VrmsIrms cos0 power factor of the circuit B to that
=VrmsIrms 1 of A?
= Vrms Irms
In the case of Inductor

= 2
P = VrmsIrms cos

= VrmsIrmscos 2
= VrmsIrms 0 = 0
In the case of capacitor

2
P = VrmsIrms cos
2
= VrmsIrms 0 = 0 27. Find the voltmeter and ammeter
24. Draw the variation of readings in the given circuit.
impedance of an LCR circuit with
frequency of AC.

25. An electric bulb B and a parallel

plate capacitor C are connected in
series as shown in figure. The bulb
glows with some brightness. How
will the glow of the bulb affected on 28. Obtain the resonant frequency of
a series LCR circuit with L=2.0H,
introducing a dielectric slab between
C=32F and R=10.What is the Q-
the plates of the capacitor? Give
value of this circuit?
reasons in support of your answer.
29. A series LCR circuit with R=20,
L=1.5H and C= 35 F is connected to a
variable-frequency 200V supply.

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When the frequency of the supply d 2q q
L 2 0
equals the natural frequency of the dt C
Dividing by L,
circuit, what is the average power
d 2q 1
transferred to the circuit in one q0
dt 2 LC
complete cycle? This equation has the form of
d2x
02 x 0 for a simple harmonic
30. A coil of self-inductance 0.50H dt 2

and resistance 100 is connected to a oscillator. The charge, therefore

240 V, 50 Hz ac supply. oscillates with a natural frequency
1
(a) What is the maximum current in 0 and varies sinusoidally
LC
the circuit?
with time as
(b) What is the time lag between q = qmcos(0t + )
voltage maximum and current When the key is closed, the charge
flows from the capacitor and the
maximum?
current in the circuit increases. Thus
the charge on the capacitor decreases
31. A 100 F capacitor in series with
q2
a 40 resistance is connected to a and it energy, UE = 2C decreases. At
110V, 60Hz supply. the same time, the current through the
(a) What is the maximum current in inductor increases and a magnetic field
is set up in it. Hence energy in the
the circuit? inductor, UB = Li2 increases. The
(b) What is the time lag between current in the circuit increases
voltage maximum and current gradually and becomes maximum
when the capacitor is fully discharged.
maximum? Now the current flows in the
opposite direction and the capacitor is
32. Explain how oscillations are charged with opposite polarities. This
produced in an LC circuit. process continues till the capacitor is
Ans: An oscillator is an arrangement fully charged. Then the whole process
that can produce continuous repeats. Thus, the energy in the system
alternating voltage using a d.c. source. oscillates between the capacitor and
Consider a fully charged capacitor inductor.
connected across an inductor through a LC oscillations are damped
switch. due to resistance of the components.
By Kirchhoffs loop rule The effect of this resistance brings
q di damping effect on charge and current
L 0 in the circuit and the oscillations
c dt
dq finally die away.
But i = dt (-ve sign show that when The total energy of the system
i increases, q decreases). will not remain constant. Some energy
is radiated away in the form of
q d 2q
L 2 0 electromagnetic waves.
c dt

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33. A 30F capacitor is connected to Let Np and Ns be the number of
a 27mH inductor. What is the angular turns in the primary and secondary
of the transformer. The voltage
frequency of free oscillations of the
induced in the secondary, when AC
circuit? flows through the primary is given
by
34. What is the use of transformers?
d
Ans: Transformer is a device used Vs = Ns dt .. (1)
to increase or decrease A.C. voltage.
At the same time, due to self-
induction, the back e.m.f. produced
35. What is the principle of a
in the primary is
transformer?
Ans: Transformer works on the d
Vp = Np dt (2)
principle of mutual induction.
Dividing equation (1) by (2)
When a.c. flows through the
primary coil, a changing magnetic Vs Ns

field is produced around it. The Vp Np
secondary coil is placed in this
changing magnetic field and hence 37. Define the efficiency of a
an e.m.f. is induced across the transformer.
secondary coil. output power
Ans: Efficiency,
input power
36. Derive the transformer
equation. 38. What is an ideal transformer?
Ans: Derive an expression connecting
step up transformer the currents and voltages in the
primary and secondary coils of an
ideal transformer.
Ans: Ideal transformer is a
transformer having efficiency =1.
Input power = output power
Ie, Vpip = Vsis
ip V
s
is Vp
Ns>Np, Vs>Vp and is<ip
Therefore we have
Step down transformer Vs N ip
s
Vp N p is

39. What are the different power

losses in a transformer?

Ans: The different power losses in a

transformer are:
1. Copper Loss
Ns<Np, Vs<Vp and is>ip

SAJU K JOHN, M.Sc. Physics, NET, PhD Research Scholar at NIT Calicut 9
As the current flows through the
primary and secondary copper wires,
electric energy is wasted in the form of
heat.

2. Eddy current Loss (Iron

Loss)
The eddy currents produced in the soft
iron core of the transformer produce
heating. Thus electric energy is wasted
in the form of heat.

3. Magnetic flux leakage

The entire magnetic flux produced by
the primary coil may not be available
to the secondary coil. Thus some
energy is wasted.

4. Hysteresis Loss
Since the soft iron core is subjected to
continuous cycles of magnetization,
the core gets heated due to hysteresis.
Thus some energy is wasted.

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