KEY FEATURES

1. Alternating Current
Alternating current is the one which changes in magnitude continuously
and in direction periodically.
The maximum value of current is called current-amplitude or peak value
of current.
It is expressed as I = IO sin ωt
Similarly alternating voltage (or emf) is V = VO sin ωt
2. Mean and RMS Value of Alternating Currents

3. Phase Difference between Voltage and Current

In a circuit having a reactive component, there is always a phase difference between applied voltage and
the alternating current.
If E = Eo sin ωt
Current is I = Io sin (ωt+φ)
where φ is the phase difference between voltage and current.
4. Impedance and Reactance Impedance:
The opposition offered by an electric circuit to an alternating current is called impedance.
𝑉 𝑉𝑂 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠
It is denoted as Z. Its unit is ohm. Z= = =
𝐼 𝐼𝑂 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠
Reactance: The opposition offered by inductance and capacitance or both in ac circuit is called
reactance.
It is denoted by XC or XL.
The opposition due to inductor alone is called the inductive reactance while that due to capacitance
alone is called the capacitive reactance.
Inductive reactance, XL = 𝜔𝐿
1
Capacitive reactance, XC =
ωC
5. LC Oscillations
A circuit containing inductance L and capacitance C is called an LC circuit.
𝑞2
If capacitor is charged initially and ac source is removed, then electrostatic energy of capacitor (2𝐶) is
1
converted into magnetic energy of inductor (2 𝐿𝐼 2 ) and vice versa periodically; such oscillations of
1
energy are called LC oscillations. The frequency is given by 𝜔 =
√𝐿𝐶
6. AC Generator It is a device used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and is based on the
phenomenon of electromagnetic induction.

KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 78

 If a coil of N turns, area A is rotated at frequency ν in uniform magnetic field of induction B, then
motional emf in coil (if initially it is perpendicular to field) is e=NBA ω sin ωt
with ω = 2πν Peak emf, eO= NBAω
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
Q.1 Define capacitor reactance. Write its SI units?
Ans. The imaginary/virtual resistance offered by a capacitor to the flow of an alternating current is
1
called capacitor reactance, XC = ωC ,Its SI unit is ohm.
Q.2 Explain why current flows through an ideal capacitor when it is connected to an ac source but not
when it is connected to a dc source in a steady state.
Ans. For ac source, circuit is complete due to the presence of displacement current in the capacitor.
For steady dc, there is no displacement current, therefore, circuit is not complete.
1 1
Mathematically, Capacitive reactance XC = ωC = 2πnC So, capacitor allows easy path for ac source.
For dc, n = 0, so Xc = infinity, So capacitor blocks dc
Q.3 What is wattless current?
Ans. When pure inductor and/or pure capacitor is connected to ac source, the current flows in the
𝜋
circuit, but with no power loss; the phase difference between voltage and current is 2 .
Such a current is called the wattless current.
Q.4 Mention the two characteristic properties of the material suitable for making core of a transformer.
Ans. Two characteristic properties:
(i) Low hysteresis loss
(ii) Low coercivity
Q.5 Why is the use of ac voltage preferred over dc voltage? Give two reasons.
Ans.
(i)The generation of ac is more economical than dc.
(ii) Alternating voltage can be stepped up or stepped down as per requirement during transmission from
power generating station to the consumer.
(iii) Alternating current in a circuit can be controlled by using wattless devices like the choke coil.
(iv) Alternating voltages can be transmitted from one place to another, with much lower energy loss in
the transmission line.
Q.6 When an ac source is connected to an ideal inductor show that the average power supplied by the
source over a complete cycle is zero.
Ans. For an ideal inductor phase difference between current and applied voltage = π/2
∴ Power, P = Vrms Irms cos φ = Vrms Irms cos π/2 = 0
Thus, the power consumed in a pure inductor is zero.
Q.7 Both alternating current and direct current are measured in amperes. But how is the ampere
defined for an alternating current?
Ans. An ac current changes direction with the source frequency and the attractive force would
average to zero. Thus, the ac ampere must be defined in terms of some property that is independent
of the direction of current. Joule’s heating effect is such property and hence it is used to define
rms value of ac.
Q.8 State the underlying principle of a transformer. How is the large-scale transmission of
electric energy over long distances done with the use of transformers?
Ans. The principle of transformer is based upon the principle of mutual induction which states that
due to continuous change in the current in the primary coil an emf gets induced across the secondary
coil. At the power generating station, the step up transformers step up the output voltage which reduces the
current through the cables and hence reduce resistive power loss. Then, at the consumer end, a step down
transformer steps down the voltage. Hence, the large scale transmission of electric energy over long distances
is done by stepping up the voltage at the generating station to minimise the power loss in the transmission
cables.

KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 79

 Q.9 The figure shows a series LCR circuit with L = 5.0 H, C = 80 µF,
R = 40 Ω connected to a variable frequency 240 V source. Calculate.
(i) The angular frequency of the source which drives the circuit at resonance.
(ii) The current at the resonating frequency.
(iii) The rms potential drop across the
capacitor at resonance.
Ans-

Q.10 (i) Find the value of the phase difference between the current and the voltage in the series LCR circuit
shown below. Which one leads in phase: current or voltage?
(ii) Without making any other change, find the value of the additional capacitor, C1, to be connected in parallel
with the capacitor C, in order to make the power factor of the circuit unity.
Ans-

Q.11 The primary coil of an ideal step-up transformer has 100 turns and transformation ratio is also 100. The
input voltage and power are 220 V and 1100 W respectively.
Calculate
(a) the number of turns in the secondary coil.
(b) the current in the primary coil.
(c) the voltage across the secondary coil.
KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 80
(d) the current in the secondary coil.
(e) the power in the secondary coil.

Ans-

Q.12 The figure shows a series LCR circuit connected to a variable frequency 230 V source.

(a) Determine the source frequency which drives the circuit in resonance.
(b) Calculate the impedance of the circuit and amplitude of current at resonance.
(c) Show that potential drop across LC combination is zero at resonating frequency
Ans-

KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 81

 REVISION PAPER UNIT- VII–ALTERNATING CURRENT

Note: Q. No. 1-4 is of 01 mark each, Q. 5-6 is of 02 marks each, Q.No.7 is of 03 marks, Q. No. 8 is a case
study based and is of 04 marks, Q. No. 11 is of 5 marks.
S Question Ma
N rks
1 In a pure inductive circuit, the current 1
(a) lags behind the applied emf by an angle 𝜋
(b) lags behind the applied emf by an angle 𝜋 / 2
(c) leads the applied emf by an angle 𝜋 / 2
(d) and applied emf are in same phase
2 Assertion (A): The resistance offered by an inductor in a d.c. circuit is always constant. 1
Reason (R): The resistance of an inductor in steady state is zero.
y- Both assertion and reason are correct and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
z- Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not a correct explanation of assertion.
aa- Assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect
bb- Assertion is incorrect but the reason is correct.
3 The potential differences across the resistance, capacitance and inductance are 80 V, 40 V and 100 V 1
respectively in an L-C-R circuit, the power factor for this circuit is
(a) 0.4 (b) 0.5 (c) 0.75 (d) 1.0

4 Electrical energy is transmitted over large distances at high alternating voltages. Which of the following 1
statements incorrect?
(a) For a given power level, there is a lower current.
(b) Lower current implies less power loss.
(c) Transmission lines can be made thinner.
(d) It is easy to reduce the voltage at the receiving end using step-down transformers.

5 Define power factor. State the conditions under which it is (i) maximum and (ii) minimum. 2
6 In a series LCR circuit with an ac source of effective voltage 50 V, frequency ν =50/π Hz, R = 300 W, 2
C = 20 µF and L = 1.0 H. Find the rms current in the circuit.
7 An electric lamp connected in series with a capacitor and an ac source is glowing with 3
of certain brightness. How does the brightness of the lamp change on reducing the
(i) capacitance and
(ii) frequency?

Case study-based questions (questions no 8- 10) 4

AC VOLTAGE APLIED TO A CAPACITOR
The instantaneous voltage, E=EO sin ωt … (i)
Then the instantaneous value of current in the circuit at instant ‘t’
𝐸𝑂
is given by I = 1 sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜋/2). The capacitace reactance lomits
⁄𝜔𝐶
the amplitude of current in a purely capacitive circuit and it is given by Xc = 1⁄𝜔𝐶

8. What is the unit of capacitive reactance? 1

9. Find the capacitive reactance of a 5𝜇𝐹 capacitor for a frequency of 106Hz. 1
10. Draw a graph showing the variation of capacitive reactance Xc with frequency. 2
OR
10. 1𝜇𝐹 is joined to a 200V, 50Hz alternator. Find the rms current through capacitor. 2

KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 83

11 A device ‘X’ is connected to an ac source V = VO sin ωt. The 5
variation of voltage, current and power in one cycle is show
in the following graph:
(a) Identify the device ‘X’.
(b) Which of the curves, A, B and C represent the voltage,
current and the power consumed in the circuit? Justify your
answer.
(c) How does its impedance vary with frequency of the ac
source? Show graphically.
(d) Obtain an expression for the current in the circuit and its phase relation with ac voltage.

KVS ZIET CHANDIGARH 84

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