Alternating Current

SECTION – A

I. Pick the correct option among the four given options for ALL of the following questions:
1. Frequency of ac in India is
a) 50 Hz b) 25 Hz c) 70 Hz d) 100 Hz

2. The mean or average value of ac over a complete cycle is

a) 100 b) 0 c) 50 d) ∞

3. SI unit of impedance is
a) volt b) henry c) farad d) ohm

4. In series LCR circuit, at resonance

a) The current is maximum
b) The current & voltage are in phase
c) The current leads voltage by 90°
d) The impedance is maximum

5. In a LCR series circuit, capacitance is changed from C to 2C. For the resonant frequency to remain
unchanged. The inductance should be changed from L to,
a) 4 L b) 2 L c) L⁄2 d) L⁄4

6. Maximum power is dissipated if the circuit contains

a) an inductor b) a capacitor c) pure resistor d) both (a) or (b)

7. The average power dissipated in pure capacitor in an ac circuit is

1
a) 2 CV 2 b) CV 2 c) 2 CV 2 d) zero

8. Power consumed in purely inductance ac circuit is

LI2 1
a) LI 2 b) c) Zero d) 2 LI 2
4

9. Power factor in series LCR circuit is

a) R b) 2⁄R c) R⁄Z d) R Z

10. The peak value of ac voltage of 220 V mains is

a) 220⁄ V b) 230√2 V c) 220√2 V d) 240√2 V
√2

11. If I0 is the peak value of ac, than root mean square value of current is
I0 I0
a) √2 I0 b) c) d) 2 I0
√2 2

12. Peak value of emf of an a.c. is E0 . Its roots mean square value is
E
0 E
a) √2 E0 b) 0.707 E0 c) 0.707 d) 2π0
 13. The rms value of a.c. is
1
a) 2 times its peak value b) √2 times its peak value
√
π
c) equal to its peak value d) times its peak value
√2

14. Energy losses in transformers are due to

a) copper loss b) flux leakage
c) hysteresis loss d) all the above

15. Turns ratio of a transformer is

𝑁 𝐸 𝐼
a) 2⁄𝑁 b) 2⁄𝐸 c) 2⁄𝐼 d) None of these
1 1 1

16. The power delivered by the source of circuit is maximum when

1
a) 𝜔𝐿 = 𝜔𝐶 b) 𝜔𝐿 = 𝜔𝐶 c) 𝜔𝐿 = √𝜔𝐶 d) 𝜔𝐿 = 𝜔𝐶 2

17. Transformer is a device which is used to change the magnitude of

a) D. C voltage b) A. C. voltage c) both (a) and (b) d) none of these

18. The core of transformer is laminated to

a) prevent it from moisture b) prevent it from wise
c) prevent it from heat d) to reduce energy loss

19. In a series LCR circuit, resonant frequency depends on

L 1 L
a) C b) √LC c) d) √C
√LC

20. On a series LCR circuit, quality factor can be improved by

a) decreasing L b) increasing C c) decreasing R d) decreasing R & L

II. Fill in the blanks:-

1. Phase difference between voltage and current in an ac circuit having only resistor is zero (0°)
2. Unit of reactance is ohm.
3. The phase difference between voltage and current in an ac circuit having only capacitor in 90°
4. soft iron is used to make the core of a transformer.
5. The peak value of ac voltage of a 220 V mains is 311 V
6. A transformer works on the principle of mutual inductance.
7. A transformer is a device which is used to convert alternating current at low voltage into high voltage
or vice versa
8. Power loss is a transformer due to healing of copper wires can be minimised by using thick copper
wires of law resistance.
9. Phasors are relating vectors that represent a sinusoidally varying quantity.
10. Current is maximum at resonant condition of a series LCR circuit.

III. 5 Mark Question

1. Using a circuit diagram & a phasor diagram, derive an expression for the impedance of a series
LCR-circuit.
 Emf in the circuit due to the ac source is,
𝑉 = 𝑉0 sin 𝜔𝑡 ………………(1)
Let I be the current in the series LCR clit at any instant, then
→ Voltage across the resistor, VR = I0 R (V & I are in phase)
→ Voltage across the inductor, VL = I0 XL (V leads I by 90°)
→ Voltage across the capacitor, VC = I0 X0 (V lags I by 90°)
From the phase or diagram.
VL & VC are in opposite direction & VL > VC .
Their resultant is (VL − VC )
By parallelogram law of vector addition, the resultant of VR & (VL − VC ) must be equal to the applied
emf & is given by the diagonal of the parallelogram,
∴ 𝑉02 = 𝑉𝑅2 + (𝑉𝐿 − 𝑉𝐶 )2
𝑉02 = (𝐼0 𝑅)2 + (𝐼0 𝑋𝐿 − 𝐼0 𝑋𝐶 )2
𝑉02 = 𝐼02 [𝑅2 + (𝑋𝐿 − 𝑋𝐶 )2 ]
𝑉2
𝐼02 = 𝑅2 +(𝑋 0−𝑋 2
𝐿 𝐶)
𝑉0
𝐼0 =
√𝑅 2 +(𝑋𝐿 −𝑋𝐶 )2
𝑉0
𝐼0 = 𝑍
where 𝑍 = √𝑅2 + (𝑋𝐿 − 𝑋𝐶 )2 is called the impedance.

IV. Three Mark Questions:-

1. Show that the voltage & the current are always in phase in an ac circuit connected with a pure
resistor.

Let R be the resistor connected to an ac source of emf.

V = V0 sin 𝜔𝑡 …………..(1)
If I is the current flowing is the circuit at instant t, then the potential drop across R will be IR.
∴ Pd a cross the ac source = 𝑃 𝑑 across R
𝑉0 sin 𝜔𝑡 = 𝐼 𝑅
𝑉
𝐼 = 𝑅0 sin 𝜔 𝑡
𝐼 = 𝐼0 sin 𝜔𝑡 …………(2)
𝑉0
where 𝐼0 = ⟹ peak value of ac.
𝑅
 From eqs. (1) and (2), current & voltage are in phase.

2. What do you mean by the resonance condition of a series LCR-circuit? Calculate the resonant
frequency.
A series LCR-chit is said to be at resonance when the current through it has it maximum value.
Current in the circuit is maximum when
𝑋𝐿 = 𝑋𝐶
1
i.e., 𝜔𝐿 = 𝜔𝐶
1
𝜔2 = 𝐿𝐶
1
𝜔=
√𝐿𝐶
1
2𝜋𝑓 =
√𝐿𝐶
1
⟹ 𝑓 = 2𝜋
√𝐿𝐶

3. What is a transformer? Explain the principle. and working of transformer.

A transformer is an electrical device for converting an alternating current at low voltage into that at
high voltage or vice versa.
Principle:- It works on the principle of mutual inductance.
Working:- when an alternating current flows through the primary, it generator an alternating
magnetic flux in the core which also passes through the secondary. Thin changing flux sets up an
induced emf in the secondary and also a self-induced emf in the primary.

4. Name three causes for energy loss in a transformer

1) Copper loss 2) Eddy currents 3) Hysteric’s loss 4) flux leakage
4) Flux leakage 5) Humming loss

5. Name three uses of transformers.

1) Used in radio receives, telephones land speakers
2) In voltage regulators.
3) In stabilised power supplies
4) In electrical energy transmission.

V. Two mark questions:-

1. What is a choke coil? Explain its action in ac circuits.
A choke coil is simply an inductor with large inductance which is used to reduce current in ac circuits
without much loss of energy. A choke is put in series across an electrical appliance of resistance R &
in connected to an ac source. Thin forms an LR-circuit which helps in reducing the current in an ac
circuit without much or energy loss.
 2. Define power of an ac circuit write an expression for it.
Power of an ac circuit:- The rate at which electrical energy in consumed in an electrical circuit is
called its power.
Expression for power in an ac circuit:-
∀𝐼
Parg = 2 0 cos 𝜙
𝑉0 𝐼0
Or Parg = cos 𝜙
√2 √2
Or Parg = 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 cos 𝜙

3. What is matters current? What is the current in an ac circuit matters?

The current in an ac circuit is said to be wattles if the average power consumed in the circuit is zero.
Current in an circuit is matters in a purely inductance or capacitive circuit is which the voltage and
π
current differs by a phase angle of 2 .

4. Write the theory of a transformer.

Let N1 & N2 be the No: of turns in the primary & secondary respectively. Then induced emf in the
primary coil
𝑑𝜙
∈1 = −𝑁1 𝑑𝑡
Induced emf in the secondary coil
𝑑𝜙
∈2 = −𝑁2 𝑑𝑡
∈2 𝑁2
⟹ =𝑁
∈1 1

5. How the current & voltage are related in a transformer?

In a transformer,
Input power = output power
∈1 𝐼1 = ∈2 𝐼2
𝐼1 ∈ 𝐼 ∈ 𝑁
⟹ = ∈2 & also 𝐼1 = ∈2 = 𝑁2
𝐼2 1 2 1 1

6. (i) Write the expression for efficiency of a transformer

(ii) Can efficiency of a real transformer be 100%?
𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑢𝑡
(i) 𝜂 = 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 × 100%
(ii) No real transformer will have 100% efficiency.

VI. Numerical Questions

1. A 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝛀 resistor is connected to a 220 V, 50 Hz AC supply.
a) What is the rms value of current in the circuit?
b) What is the net power consumed over a full cycle?
Given, resistance R = 100 Ω
Vrms = 220 V
(Whenever a supply value is given, it means it is rms value)
Frequency 𝑓 = 50 Hz
a) Current in the circuit
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 220
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = = 100 = 2.2 A
𝑅
b) Net power consumed in full cycle
𝑃 = 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 × 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠
= 220 × 2.2 = 484 W
2. a) The peak voltage of an AC supply is 300 V. What is the rms voltage?
b) The rms value of current in an AC circuit is 10 A. What is the peak current?
a) Given, peak value of voltage V0 = 300 V
The rms value of current 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 10 A
The rms value of voltage
𝑉0 300
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = = = 212.1 V
√2 √2
𝐼0
b) Using the formula, 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 =
√2
The peak value of current
𝐼0 = √2 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = √2 × 10 = 14.14 A

3. A 𝟔𝟎 𝛍𝐅 capacitor is connected to a 110 V, 60 Hz AC supply. Determine the rms value of the

current in the circuit.
Given, Capacitance of the capacitor C = 60 μF = 60 × 10−6 F
Vrms = 110 V
Frequency of AC supply 𝑓 = 60 Hz
1 1
Capacitive reactance 𝑋𝐶 = = = 44.23 Ω
2𝜋𝑓𝐶 2×3.14×60×60×10−6
The rms value of the current in the circuit
𝑉
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝑟𝑚𝑠𝑋 𝐶
110
= 44.23 = 2.49 A

4. In Q. 3 and 4, What is the net power absorbed by each circuit over a complete cycle? Explain
your answer.
In Q. 3 Average power P = Vrms Irms cos ϕ.
As we know that the phase difference between current and voltage in case of inductor is 90°.
P = Vrms Irms cos 90° = 0
In Q. 4 Average power P = Vrms . Irms cos ϕ
We know that the phase difference between current and voltage in case of capacitor is 90°.
P = Vrms Irms cos 90° = 0

5. A series LCR circuit with 𝑹 = 𝟐𝟎 𝛀, 𝐋 = 𝟏. 𝟓 H and 𝑪 = 𝟑𝟓 𝛍𝐅 is connected to a variable

frequency 𝟐𝟎𝟎 V AC supply. When the frequency of the supply equals the natural frequency
of the circuit, what is the average power transferred to the circuit in one complete cycle?
Given, resistance 𝑅 = 20 Ω, Inductance 𝐿 = 1.5 H, capacitance 𝐶 = 35 𝜇𝐹 = 35 × 10−6 F and
voltage Vrms = 200 V
When the frequency of the supply equal to the natural frequency of the circuit, this is the condition
of resonance. At the condition of resonance, Impedance Z = R = 20 Ω.
The rms value of current in the circuit
Vrms 200
Irms = = = 10 A
Z 20
ϕ = 0° (for resonance)
Power transferred to the circuit in one complete cycle
P = Irms . Vrms cos ϕ = 10 × 200 × cos 0° = 2000 W
= 2 kW

6. A radio can tune over the frequency range of a portion of MW broadcast band: (𝟖𝟎𝟎 kHz to
1200 kHz). If its LC circuit has an effective inductance of 𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝛍𝐇, what must be the range of
its variable capacitor?
[Hint For tuning, the natural frequency, i.e., the frequency of free oscillations of the LC circuit
should be equal to the frequency of the radio wave.].
 Given, minimum frequency 𝑓1 = 800 kHz = 8 × 105 Hz
Inductance 𝐿 = 200 𝜇𝐻 = 200 × 10−6 H = 2 × 10−4 H
Maximum frequency 𝑓2 = 1200 kHz = 12 × 105 Hz
For tuning, the natural frequency is equal to the frequency of oscillations that mean it is the case of
resonance.
1
Frequency of oscillations 𝑓 = 2𝜋
√𝐿𝐶
1
For capacitance 𝐶1 , 𝑓1 = 2𝜋
√𝐿𝐶1
1 1
𝐶1 = 4𝜋2 𝑓2 𝐿 = 4×3.14×3.14×(8×105 )2×2×10−4
1
= 197.7 × 10−12 F
= 197.7 pF
1
For capacitance 𝐶2 , 𝑓2 = 2𝜋
√𝐿𝐶2
1 1
𝐶2 = 4𝜋2 𝑓2 𝐿 = 4×3.14×3.14×(12×105 )2 ×2×10−4
2
= 87.8 × 10−12 F
= 87.8 pF
This, the range of capacitor is 87.8 pF to 197.7 pF.

7. A coil of inductance 0.50 H and resistance 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝛀 is connected to a 240 V, 50 Hz AC supply.

a) What is the maximum current in the coil?
b) What is the time lag between the voltage maximum and the current maximum?
Given, inductance 𝐿 = 0.50 H
Resistance 𝑅 = 100 Ω
The rms value of voltage Vrms = 240 V, f = 50 Hz
a) Impedance of circuit
𝑍 = √𝑅2 + 𝑋𝐿2 = √𝑅2 + (2𝜋𝑓𝐿)2
= √(100)2 + (2 × 3.14 × 50 × 0.50)2
= 186.14 Ω
𝑉 240
The rms value of current 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 186.14 = 1.29 A
𝑍
The maximum value of current in the circuit
𝐼0 = √2 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 1.414 × 1.29 = 1.824 A
b) Using the formula of time lag,
𝜙
𝑡=𝜔
𝑋𝐿 𝜔𝐿 2𝜋𝑓𝐿 2×3.14×50×0.50
tan 𝜙 = = = =
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅 100
𝜙 = tan−1 (1.571) = 57.5°
57.5
= 180 𝜋 rad
𝜙 57.5𝜋
Time lag 𝑡 = 𝜔 = 180×2𝜋𝑓
57.5
= 180×2×50
3.19 × 10−3 s
Thus, the time lag between the voltage maximum and the current maximum is 3.19 × 10−3 s

8. Obtain the answers (a) to (b) in Q, if the circuit is connected to a high frequency supply (240
V, 10 kHz). Hence explain the statement at very high frequency, an inductor in a circuit nearly
amounts to an open circuit. How does an inductor behave in a DC circuit after the steady
state?
Given, frequency 𝑓 = 10 kHz = 104 Hz
 The rms value of voltage Vrms = 240 V
From Q. 13
Resistance 𝑅 = 100 Ω
Inductance 𝐿 = 0.5 H
Inductance 𝑍 = √𝑅2 + 𝑋𝐿2 = √𝑅2 + (2𝜋𝑓𝐿 )2
= √(100)2 + (2 × 3.14 × 104 × 0.5)2 = 31400.15 Ω
The rms value of current
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = √2 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 1.414 × 0.00764 = 0.01080 A
𝑋 2×𝜋×10000×0.5
and tan 𝜙 = 𝑅𝐿 = 100
tan 𝜙 = 100 𝜋 (very large)
On comparison, we find that at low frequencies 𝐼0 = 1.82 A and at high frequencies, 𝐼0 = 0.0108
A. That means at very high frequencies, inductor offer very large resistances or we can say that it
nearly behaves open circuit.
In case of DC circuit, after a steady state 𝜔 = 0
Thus, 𝑋𝐿 = 𝜔𝐿 = 0. Hence, L acts like a pure conductor of negligible inductive reactance.

9. A series LCR circuit with 𝑳 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐 𝑯, 𝑪 = 𝟒𝟖𝟎 𝒏𝑭, 𝑹 = 𝟐𝟑 𝛀 is connected to a 230 V variable

frequency supply.
a) What is the source frequency for which current amplitude is maximum. Obtain this
maximum value.
b) What is the source frequency for which average power absorbed by the circuit is
maximum. Obtain the value of this maximum power.
c) For which frequencies of the source is the power transferred to the circuit half the power
at resonant frequency? What is the current amplitude at these frequencies?
d) What is the Q-factor of the given circuit?
Inductance 𝐿 = 0.12 H
Capacitance 𝐶 = 480 𝑛𝐹 = 480 × 10−9 F
Resistance 𝑅 = 23 Ω
The rms value of voltage 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 230 V
a) Current is maximum at resonance.
At resonance impedance 𝑍 = 𝑅 = 23 Ω.
The rms value of current
Vrms 230
Irms = = = 10 A
Z 23
The maximum value of current
I0 = √2 Irms = 1.414 × 10 = 14.14 A
At natural frequency, the current amplitude is maximum.
1 1
𝜔= = √0.12×480×10−9
√𝐿𝐶 2𝜋
= 4166.6 = 4167 rad/s
The source frequency.
𝜔 4167
𝜈0 = 2𝜋 = 2𝜋 = 663.48 Hz
b) Average power is maximum for resonance.
2
𝑃𝑎𝑣(max) = 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 . 𝑅 = 10 × 10 × 23 = 2300 W
c) Power transferred to the circuit is half the power at resonant frequency.
𝑅 23
∆𝜔 = 2𝐿 = 2×0.12 = 95.83 rad/s
∆𝜔
∆𝜈 = 2𝜋 = 15.2 Hz
The frequencies at which power transferred is half
𝜈 − 𝜈0 ± ∆𝜈 = 663.48 ± 15.26
 So, frequencies are 448.3 Hz and 678.2 Hz.
The maximum current
𝐼 14.14
𝐼 = 02 = 2 = 10 A
√ √
𝜔𝑟 𝐿 4166.7×0.12
d) Q-factor = = = 21.74
𝑅 23

10. Obtain the resonant frequency and Q-factor of a series LCR circuit with 𝑳 = 𝟑. 𝟎 H, 𝑪 =
𝟐𝟕 𝝁𝑭 and 𝑹 = 𝟕. 𝟒 𝛀. It is desired to improve the sharpness of the resonance of the circuit by
reducing its full width at half maximum by a factor of 2. Suggest a suitable way.
Given, inductance L = 3 H
Capacitance of capacitor C = 27 μF = 27 × 10−6 F
Resistance 𝑅 = 7.4 Ω.
The resonant frequency of circuit.
1 1 1000
𝜔𝑟 = = √3×27×10−6 = 9 = 111.1 rad/s
√𝐿𝐶
Q-factor of a series LCR circuit,
𝜔 𝐿 111.1×3
Q-factor = 𝑅𝑟 = 7.4 = 45.04
𝑅
The reduce that full width at half by factor Q. we have to reduce the value of R as 2 .
𝑅 7.4
2
= 2
= 3.4 Ω
Thus, we made the resistance as 3.7 Ω to made the sharpness of resonance reducing full width at
half maximum.