Topical Test Chapter 18: AC Circuits

Section A : Objective (10 marks)

1. A steady current I produces power P in a resistor. When an alternating current flows through the resistor,
the power produced is ¼ P. What is the peak value of the alternating current?

2. Which of the following graphs shows the variation of the reactance X of a capacitor with the
frequency f of an alternating potential difference which is applied across it?

3. An a.c. power supply with a constant r.m.s. voltage and variable frequency is connected in
series to a pure inductor. Which graph shows the variation of the r.m.s. current I with the
frequency f ?
4. The alternating voltage supplied to a 200 µF capacitor is given by V = 5 sin 300t, where V
is in volts and t is in seconds. The maximum current in the circuit is
A0A
B 0.21 A
C 0.30 A
D 83 A

5. In a circuit, an alternating current of r.m.s. value 1 A passes through a resistor. In another circuit,
a steady current of magnitude I passes through an identical resistor. If the two resistors dissipate
heat at the same rate, the value of I is

A 0.71 A
B 1.00 A
C 1.41 A
D 2.00 A

6. A resistor and a capacitor are connected in series with an alternating current supply. The r.m.s.
voltage across the resistor and across the capacitor are 10 V and 7 V respectively. What is the
potential difference across the resistor and the potential difference across the capacitor at the
instant the current in the circuit reaches its peak value?

7. What is the energy stored in a solenoid having an inductance 4.0 H when a steady current of 1.5 A
flows through it?

A 3.0 J
B 4.5 J
C 9.0 J
D 12.0 J

8. The graph below shows the variation of the reactance with the frequency of the alternating current
flowing through two electric components M and N.
 9. An alternating current I which flows through a 5Ω resistor is given by
I=2 sin (50t).
If I is in amperes and t in seconds, what is the mean power generated in the resistor?

A5W
B 10 W
C 20 W
D 50 W

10 When a sinusoidal alternating current flows through a resistor, the peak current is I, and
. the peak potential difference is Vo. The mean power which dissipates in the resistor is

Section B

11. In an a.c. circuit, the supply voltage is given by V = 240 sin 5000t and the current in the circuit is
π
given by I =0.480 sin ⁡(500t− )
2

(a) Determine the reactance of the circuit. [2 marks]

(b) Sketch the phasor diagram of V and I. [1 mark]
(c) State the electrical component in the circuit. [1 mark]

12. The diagram below shows a battery of e.m.f. 6 V connected in series with a 59 resistor and a 30 mH
inductor.

(a) (i) Sketch a graph to show the variation of the current I flowing in the circuit with time t after
the switch is closed. Explain the shape of your graph. [4 marks]

(ii) What is the maximum current flowing in the circuit? [2 marks]

(iii) On the same axes, sketch the graph for the variation of the induced e.m.f in the inductor with
time t when the switch is closed and when the switch is opened. [2 marks]

(b) (i) If the alternating voltage across a capacitor of capacitance C is V = V0 sin 2nft, with Vo as a
constant, f frequency, and t time, derive an expression for the current flowing through the
capacitor.
[2 marks]

(ii) Sketch a graph for the variation of the reactance Xc of the capacitor with frequency f for the
alternating current. [1 mark]

(iii) Explain why on the average, there is no power dissipated in a pure capacitor in an alternating
current circuit. [2 marks]
13. An a.c. source with r.m.s. voltage of 220 V is connected in series with a resistor of resistance
81Ω and a capacitor of capacitance 22 uF. The r.m.s. current in the circuit is 1.8 A. Calculate

(a) the impedance of the circuit, [2]

(b) the reactance of the capacitor, [2]
(c) the frequency of the source, [2]
(d) the phase angle between voltage and current [2]