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ALTERNATING
CURRENT
 QUIZRR 3

1. Al
Altt e r na
natt i ng C u r r en
entt

As the name suggests, alternating current (ac) is current that flows in one direction in a conduc-
tor, then changes direction and flows in the other direction.
The reason for this alternation is the way current comes from the electric generators. The emf and
current produced by the generator does not alternate instantly between maximum values in each
direction, but they build up to maximum values and then decrease, change dierction and build
to maximum values in the other direction.
I Conductor I (d)
+ (a)
(a)
(b)
I=0
t
(b)
I

(c)
–
I (c)

(d)

Whereas, the direct current can be shown as below.

emf E

Current I

t
If the current or voltage varies periodically as ÂsinÊ or ÂcosÊ function of time, the current or voltage
is said to be sinusoidal.
+

+ +
I = I0 sin t
I or V t
V = V0 sin t
·

·
ALTERNATING CURRENT
 4 QUIZRR
where, I = instantaneous current
I 0 = maximum instantaneous current
 = frequency of oscillation
V = instantaneous voltage
V0 = maximum instantaneous voltage

Av e r a g e or M e a n Va
Vall ue :

If the ÂaverageÊ or Âmean valueÊ of alternating current or voltage is defined for full cycle, it will
T T
be be zero as 0 sin t dt or  0 cos t dt  0 , so it is defined for positive (or negative) half cycle
as,

T/ /
2 
Iav or I mean =
0 I dt 
 0
I 0 sin t dt

2I0
T/ / 
2 
0 dt 0
dt

R M S V al
aluue

Effective, virtual or rms value of alternating current is defined as the square root of the average
of I2 during a complete cycle, i.e.,

1/
1/ 2
 T 2 2  2 2 2

I rms  
 dt 
0
I    I0 sin  t dt 
 0  
I0
T  2 /

 0 dt   2
 0 dt 

2
Similarly, V av  V0


V0
Vrms 
2

Hence, V0  Vrms  Vav

or
I0 > Irms > I av

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 QUIZRR 5

Ex a m pl
plee 1

If the voltage in an ac circuit is represented by the equation, V = 220 2 sin(314t  ) .

Calculate (a) peak and rms value of the voltage, (b) average voltage, (c) frequency of ac.
Solution :
(a) As in case of ac, V = V0 sin (t ă )
The peak value

V  220 2  311 V Ans.

and as in case ac,

V0
V rms  ; V = 200 V Ans.
2 rms

(b) In case of ac

2 2
V av  V 0   311  198.17 V Ans.
 

(c) As  = 2f, 2f = 314

314
i.e., f   50 Hz Ans.
2

Ex
Exaa m pl
plee 2

If a direct current value a ampere is superimposed on an alternating current I = b sin t

flowing through a wire, what is the effective value of the resulting current in the circuit ?

dc

I a ac
b

t
+ I = ?
t

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 6 QUIZRR
Solution :

As current at any instant in the circuit will be, I  Idc  Iac  a  b sin t

1/
2
 T I2 dt  1/
  1 T  2
 0 (a  b sin  t) dt
2
So, I eff =  0  
T
 0 dt  T

1/
2
1 T 
0
2 2 2
i.e. I eff =  (a  2ab sin t  b sin t ) dt 
T 

1 T 1 T 1
0 sin 0 sin
2
but as t  0 and t dt 
T T 2

1/
2
 1 
So Ieff   a2  b2 
 2 

C ir
ircc u it El
Elee m e nt
ntss iin
n AC C ir
ircc u it
itss

(A) A resistor in an ac circuit

If an alternating voltage V = V 0 sin t is applied across a resistance, then

V = IR i.e. V
I=
R

V0
or I= sint
R

V0 I
or I = I0 sin t where I0 
R VR

Phasor Diagram
Thus, it is clear that :
(1) The frequency of current in the circuit is  and is same as that of applied voltage.
(2) In a resistance, applied voltage is in phase with the resulting current

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 QUIZRR 7

(B) An inductor in ac circuit

If a sinusoidal emf V = V0 sin t is applied across an inductor of inductance L, then

dI
EL 0
dt L

dI
L  E0 sin t
dt

which on integration gives,

E0 V = V o sin t
or I=  cos t
L

  E0
i.e., I  I0 sin  t   with I0 
 2 t

From this expression, it is clear that

(1) The frequency of current in the circuit is same as that of applied emf but current in an
inductor ÂlagsÊ the applied voltage by (/ 2) [or voltage leads the current by /2]
VL

/2
IL
Phasor Diagram

I
E0
2
O  3

E
t
Wave diagram

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 8 QUIZRR

E0
(2) As here I0  , the quality L is called „inductive-reactance‰ and is represented by XL and
L
represents the opposition of a coil to ac, i.e.,
XL = L = 2fL

(C) Capacitor in an ac circuit

If an alternating voltage V = V0 sin t is applied across a capacitor, then
C
q
V  0
C

 q = C V0 sin t

dq
or I  C V0 sin  t
dt

 
or I = I 0 sin t   with I0 = V 0 C
 2
V = V0 sin t
Thus, it is clear that :


(1) Current in the circuit has same frequency as the applied voltage but leads it by  
2

[or voltage across a capacitor lags the current by ]
2

Ic
 /2

Vc Phasor Diagram

I
E0
 3
2

E
t
Wave diagram

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 QUIZRR 9

 E0  1
(2) As here I0 = CE0 =  X  with X C 
 C  C

I nd
nduc
uc
uctt a nc
ncee a nd R e si
siss t a nc
ncee i n S e r ie
iess

In addition to inductance, most ac circuits have resistance in the form of lights or other resistors.
Impedance is a measure of the total opposition to current flow in an ac circuit resulting from the
effect of both the resistance and the inductive reactance on the circuit. OhmÊs law in an ac circuit
can be written as

E R
I=
Z
E L
where I = current
E = voltage
Z = impedance
The impedance of a series circuit containing a resistance and an inductance is

Z = R 2  X2L

where Z = impedance
R = resistance
X L = inductive reactance
f = frequency
L = inductance
The impedance can be represented as a vector as the
hypotenuse of the right triangle shown in fig. The resistance y
is always drawn as a vector pointing in the positive
x-direction. The inductive reactance is drawn as a vector
pointing in the positive y-direction. The angle  shown
between the resistance and impedance vectors is the phase
angle and equals the amount by which the current lags (Z)
nc e
behind the voltage. The phase angle is given by e da Inductive
p
Im reactance (XL )

XL
tan   Resistance (R)
R

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 10 QUIZRR
C ap
apaa ci
citt a nc
ncee a nd R e s is
istt a nc
ncee i n Se
Serr i e s

The combined effect of capacitance and resistance in series is measured by the impedance, Z of
the circuit.

Z = R 2  XC2

2
 1 
Z = R2   
 2 fC 

where Z = impedance
R = resistance
XC = capacitive reactance
f = frequency
C = capacitance

E
The current is given by OhmÊs law : I=
Z

where I = current
E = voltage y
Z = impedance R
The phase angle can be found by drawing the resistance as a 
vector in the positive x-direction and the capacitive impedance as
a vector in the negative y-direction as shown in fig. 18.25. The Xc
Z
phase angle gives the amount by which the voltage lags behind
the current.

XC
tan  
R

C ap
apaa ci
citt a nc
ncee , I nd
nduc
uc
uctt a nc
ncee , a nd R e si
siss t an
ancc e i n Se
Serr i e s

Many circuits that are important in the design of electronic equipment contain all three types of
circuit elements discussed in this chapter. The impedance of a circuit containing resistance,
capacitance, and inductance in series can be found from the equation.

Z = R2   X L  X C 
2

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 QUIZRR 11

where Z = impedance
R = resistance
X L = inductive reactance
XC = capacitive reactance
The vector diagrm for this type is shown in fig. The phase angle is given by

XL  XC
tan  
R

In a circuit containing R, L and C components, the circuit is inductive if XL > X C and the current
lags behind the voltage. A circuit is capacitive if XC > XL , in which case the voltage lags behind
the current. If XC = XL , the current is resistive; the voltage and current are in phase. If the circuit
is to be maximized, the voltage and current must be kept in phase. The current in this type of
circuit is given by

E E
I= 
Z 2
 1 
R2   2 fL 
 2 fC 

y y

XC

Z
XL
 R
x x
R 

Z XC

Inductive Capacitive XL

Re s onanc e

The current in a circuit containing resistance, capacitance and inductance is given by the equation

E
I=
R2   XL  XC 
2

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 12 QUIZRR
When the inductive reactance equals the capacitive reactance, they nullify each other, and the
current is given by

E
I=
R

which is its maximum possible value. When this condition exists, the circuit is in resonance with
the applied voltage. To have resonance, it is essential for the circuit to have both capacitance and
inductance.
Resonance circuits are used in radios and televisions. The frequency of a certain station is tuned
in when a resonant circuit (antenna circuit) is adjusted to that frequency. This is accomplished
by changing the capaciance until the capacitive reactance equals the inductive reactance. The
applied voltage is the radio signal picked up by the antenna.
XL = X C

1
2fL = (By substitution)
2f C

1
f2 = (solve for f2 )
42 LC

1
f = (Take the square root of both sides.)
2 LC

The circuit can be adjusted to any frequency by varying the capacitance or the inductance.

P ow
owee r iin
n A
ACC C i r c ui
uitt

If an ac voltage V = V0 sin t is applied to a circuit and the resulting current is,

I = I0 sin (t ă )

V0 1  X 
with, I0 = and   tan  
Z  R

the instantaneous power consumed by the circuit,

P = VI = I0 V0 sin t sin (t ă )
So, average power consumed,

T
 P dt  1 V I T sin  t sin  t   dt
Pav  0 T 0 0 0
T
0 dt

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 QUIZRR 13

V0 I0 T
or Pav  0 cos   cos 2 t    dt
2T

2
which on simplification with T = gives,


1
P av  V0 I0 cos   Vrms I rms cos 
2

cos  is called Âpower factorÊ of the circuit.

This it is clear that :
(1) In case of a Âpure resistanceÊ as X = 0

R R
PF = cos  =  1
Z R

1
So, P av = V rms I rms ï 1 = V0 I0  max
2

(2) In case of a pure inductance or capacitance as R = 0

R 0
PF = cos  =  0
Z X

So, P av = V rms I rms ï 0 = 0

i.e., average power consumed per cycle in a pure inductance or capacitance is zero. So in


an ac circuit if the phase difference between V and I is .
2

i.e., if V = V 0 sin t
I = I0 cos t
the power consumed by the circuit is zero. Such current is called ÂwattlessÊ.

Ex
Exaa m pl
plee 3

A box P and a coil Q are conneced in a series with an ac source of variable frequency. The
emf of source is constant at 10 V. Box P contains a capacitance of 1 øF in series with a
resistace of 32  . Coil Q has a self-inductance 4.9 mH and a resistance of 68  in series. The
frequency is adjusted so that the maximum current flows in P and Q. Find the impedance
of P and Q at this frequency. Also find the voltage across P and Q respectively.

ALTERNATING CURRENT
14 QUIZRR

32 4.9mH 68

1 F
C R1 R2
L
Box P Coil Q

Solution :
As this circuit is a series LCR circuit, current will be maximum at resonance.

1 1 10 5 rad
i.e.,   
LC (4.9  10 3 )(10 6 ) 7 s

E0 10 V 1
with Im ax    A
R (32 + 68) 10

So the impedance

1/ 2 1/ 2
ZP =  R12  (1 /  C) 2    (32) 2  (7 /10 5  10 6) 2 
   

= 5924  77  Ans.

1/ 2 1/ 2
And ZQ =  R22  ( L)2    (68)2  (4.9  103  105 / 7)2 
   

= 9524  97.6  Ans.

And hence

1
V P = IZ P =  (77)  7.7 V Ans.
10

1
And V Q = IZQ =  (97.6)  9.76 V Ans.
10

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 QUIZRR 15

Ex a m pl
plee 4 L

For the circuit shown in fig. current in inductance is IL

0.8 A while in capacitance is 0.6 A. What is the current
C
drawn from the source ?
IC
I
V
Solution :
If an ac source E = E0 sin t is applied across an inductance and capacitance in parallel, current
in inductance will lag the applied voltage while across the capacitor will lead,

V  
and so, IL = sin t   = ă 0.8 cos t
XL  2

V  
IC = sin t   = + 0.6 cos t
XC  2

So the current drawn from the source,

I = IL + I C = ă 0.2 cos t
i.e. |I0| = 0.2 A Ans.

Ex
Exaa m pl
plee 5

For a resistance R and capacitance C in series, the impedance is twice that of a parallel
combination of the same. What is the frequency of applied emf ?
Solution :
As shown in Fig. (A), in case of series combination,

1/ 2
Zs  R 2  XC2  R 2  (1 /  C) 2 
 
R
R
IR
I
C
IC
C

(A) (B)

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 16 QUIZRR
In case of parallel combination,

V V  
IR = sin t and IC  sin  t  
R XC  2 

V V
So, I = IR + I C = R sin t  X cos t
C

i.e., I = I0 sin (t + )

V V
with I0 cos  = and I 0 sin  
R XC

1/ 2
  V 2  V  2 V
So, I0 =       
 R   XC   ZP
 

1/ 2
1  1  1  
2
R
 2  ZP 
i.e.,   , i.e.,
ZP R  XC   1 + 2C 2R 2
 

and as according to given prolem,

Zs = 2ZP , i.e., Z2s  4Z2P

(R 2 2C 2  1) R2
i.e., = 4
2 C2 (1  R 2 2C 2)

i.e., (1 + R2 2C2 )2 = 4R 22C2

or, 1 + R2 2C2 = 2RC
or, (RC ă 1) 2 = 0

1 1
or,  i.e., f  Ans.
RC 2 RC

Ex
Exaa m pl
plee 6

A box contains L, C and R. When 250 V dc is applied to the terminals of the box, a current
of 1.0 A flows in the circuit. When an ac source of 250 V rms at 2250 rad/s is connected, a
current of 1.25 A rms flows. It is observed that the current rises with frequency and becomes
maximum at 4500 rad/s. Find the values of L, C and R. Draw the circuit diagram.

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 QUIZRR 17

Solution : R

As the circuit works on dc so all the elements L, C and R IR

cannot be in series. Further, as with change in frequency
C
current increases, reaches a maximum and then decreses,
which happens in series resonance, so L and C must be in IL
series. So the box contains the circuit as shown in Fig.
I
Now when dc is applied,
V = IR

V 250
i.e. R =  
I 1

So, R = 250  ... (1) Ans.

Now for ac as current is masximum at 4500 rad/s,

1 1 1
0  , i.e., LC =  ... (2)
LC  20 (4500)2

and as for ac,

V 250
IR = sin t  sin t  1sin t
R 250

V
IX = sin t
X

V
So, I = IR + IX = 1 sin t + sin  t
X

or I = I0 sin (t + )

V
with, I0 cos  = 1 and I0 sin  =
X

2 2
V   250
i.e., I02 = 1+  or (1.25) 2  1   
X   X 

250  250 X=
250
i.e. X2 = or
0.5625 0.5625

250 1000
i.e., X = = 
0.75 3

ALTERNATING CURRENT
18 QUIZRR

1 1000  1 
i.e. L ~ =  as X =  L ~  
C 3  C

1 1000
or, 2250 ~  ...(3)
2250C 3

 rad 
as  = 2250 s 
 

Substituting the value of L in terms of C from Eqs. (2) and (3), we have,

1 1 1000
2250 2
~ =
C(4500) 2250C 3

1 2250 1  1000
or,  ~  =
C  4500  4500 2250  3

1 1 1  1000
~ 
C 9000 2250 

or,
3

1 3 1000
or   i.e., C = 10ă6 F = 1 øF Ans.
C 9000 3

and so from Eq. (2),

1 1 4
L=  6
  0.049 H Ans.
C20 10  (4500) 2 81

ALTERNATING CURRENT
 The only app you need to prepare for

JEE Main JEE Adv. BITSAT WBJEE MHT CET and more...

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Rating on Google Play Students using daily Questions available

With MARKS app you can do all these things for free

Solve Chapter-wise PYQ of JEE Main, JEE Advanced, NEET, BITSAT, WBJEE, MHT CET & more

Create Unlimited Custom Tests for any exam

Attempt Top Questions for JEE Main which can boost your rank

Track your exam preparation with Preparation Trackers

Complete daily goals, rank up on the leaderboard & compete with other aspirants

4.8 50,000+ 2,00,000+

Rating on Google Play Students using daily Questions available