Avg.

& Rms Values

Alternating Current

Lecture - 2
Jayant Nagda
Physics Educator
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B.Tech, IIT Bombay

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Average Value of Current
I = I0sinωt

Over full cycle t = 0 to t = T = 2π/ω Iavg = 0

Over long period t = 0 to t ⟶ ∞ Iavg = 0

Over first half cycle t = 0 to t = T/2 = π/ω

Average Value of Current

I = I0sinωt

In Full Cycle or
Long Period

In Half Cycle
Average Value of Voltage/Emf

In Full Cycle or
Long Period

In Half Cycle
Rms Value of Current

R.M.S. Root Mean Squared Value

It is the root of average value of I2 , over a time period.

Rms Value of Current

R.M.S. Root Mean Squared Value

It is the root of average value of I2 , over a time period.

Example
The current through a wire changes with time according to the
equation I = √t. The correct value of the rms current within the
time interval t = 2 to t = 4s will be

A. √3 A B. 3 A C. 2 A D. None of these

Ans : A
Rms Value of Current
R.M.S. Root Mean Squared Value

The R.m.s. value or Virtual value or Effective value of any

current is defined as that value of steady (constant) current
which would generate the same amount of heat in a given
resistance in a given time as generated by actual current
passing through the same resistance for the same given time.
Rms Value of Current
RMS value of I = I0 sinωt

Over first half cycle

Rms Value of Current

I = I0 sinωt Over first half cycle

I2 I

⇒
Example If the r.m.s. value of A.C. is Irms then its peak value is

A. √2 Irms / 2 B. Irms / √2 C. 2√2 Irms D. √2 Irms

Ans : D
Average of Sq over T Average value of square of Sin or Cos
function for one time period is I/2

n = 1,2,...,
k = 1,2,...,
For e.g.
Rms Value of Current

Over first half cycle

I2 I

t
Rms Value of Current

Current
peak value

RMS value

0
time
Rms Value of Current

I2

I02

I02
2

0
t
Example The r.m.s. value of alternating current in half cycle is 10
amp having frequency of 50 Hz. The time taken by the
current to increase from zero to maximum and the
maximum value of current will be
A. 2 × 10–2 sec and 14.14 amp B. 1 × 10–2 sec and 7.07 amp

C. 5 × 10–3 sec and 7.07 amp D. 5 × 10–3 sec and 14.14 amp

Ans : D
Rms Value of Current
RMS value of I = I0 sinωt
Over full cycle
Rms Value of Current

Over full cycle

I2 I

t
Rms Value of Current

Over first half cycle

Over full cycle

RMS value of AC

over half cycle or full cycle is same

& also valid for long period of time.

Example Heat is produced in a wire by allowing the ac of peak value 14 A
to flow in it. If dc of I ampere is used for producing the same
amount of heat, then the value of I will be approximately

A. 7 A B. 10 A C. 12 A D. 14 A

Ans : B
Similarly, rms value of emf is

Where E0 is maximum emf

In Full Cycle

In Half Cycle

In Full / Half
Cycle

In long period
of time
Example
The domestic power supply is at 220 volt. The amplitude of emf
will be

A. 220 V B. 110 V C. 311 V D. None of these

Fun fact: 220V of Power Supply is the RMS value of voltage

Ans : C
Example
A direct current of 2 A and an alternating current having a
maximum value of 2 A flow through two identical resistances.
The ratio of heat produced in the two resistances will be

A. 1 : 1 B. 1 :2 C. 2 : 1 D. 4 : 1

Ans : C
Example The r.m.s. value of potential due to superposition of given two
alternating potentials E1 = E0sin ωt and E2 = E0cos ωt will be

A. E0 B. 2E0 C. E0√2 D. 0

Ans : A
Daily Practice Problems
Example
The electric current in a circuit is given by i = (i0t)/τ for some
time. The rms current for the period t = 0 to t = τ will be

A. i0 / √2 B. i0 / √3 C. i0 / 2 D. i0 / 3

Ans : B
Example
RMS value of ac i = i1 cos ωt + i2 sin ωt will be

A. B.

C. D.

Ans : C
Example
In a circuit an A.C. current and a D. C. current are supplied
together. The expression of the instantaneous current is
given as i = 3 + 6 sinω t. Then the rms value of the current
is
A. 3 B. 6 C. 3√2 D. 3√3

Ans : D
Example
Rms value of the saw-tooth voltage of peak value V0 as
shown in
+V0
T 2T
t
T/2 3T/2

-V0

A. B. C. D.

Ans : D
Example
The r.m.s. value of potential due to superposition of given
two alternating potentials E1 = E0 sin ωt and E2 = E0 cos ωt
will be

A. E0 B. 2E0 C. 3E0 D. 0

Ans : A
Example For an alternating current

A. R.M.S value may be equal to peak value

B. average value be equal to peak value

C. R.M.S value be equal to average value

D. All of the above

Ans : D
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