21.1 Characteristics of Alternating Currents A LEVEL PHY

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A Level Physics CIE Your notes
21.1 Characteristics of Alternating Currents

Contents
Alternating Current & Voltage
Root-Mean-Square Current & Voltage
Mean Power
Page 1 of 14
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Alternating Current & Voltage

Your notes
Properties of Alternating Current & Voltage
What is Alternating Current?
An alternating current (a.c) is defined as:
A current which periodically varies from positive to negative and changes its magnitude
continuously with time
This means the direction of an alternating current varies every half-cycle
The variation of current, or p.d., with time can be described as a sine curve ie. sinusoidal
Therefore, the electrons in a wire carrying a.c. move back and forth with simple harmonic
motion
As with SHM, the time period of an alternating current is defined as:
1
T=
f
Where:
T = time period (s)
f = frequency (Hz )
Peak current (I0 ), or peak voltage (V0 ), is defined as:
The maximum value of the alternating current or voltage
Peak current, or voltage, can be determined from the amplitude of the graph
Time period and peak current on a current-time graph
Page 2 of 14
Your notes
Graph of alternating current against time with a time period of 20 ms and peak current of 2 A
Mains electricity is supplied as alternating current
Power stations produce alternating current
This is the type of current supplied when devices are plugged into sockets
Page 3 of 14
Worked example
Your notes
The variation with time t of the output voltage V of an alternating voltage supply is shown in the
graph below.
Use the graph to calculate the frequency of the supply.

Answer:
Step 1: Write down the period-frequency relation
1
f =
T
Step 2: Calculate the time period from the graph
The time period is the time taken for one complete cycle
From the graph, this is equal to 0.2 ms
Therefore, the time period is
T = 0.2 ms = 0.2 × 10 -3 s
Step 3: Substitute into frequency equation
Page 4 of 14
1
f = = 5000 Hz = 5 kHz
0 . 2 × 10−3 Your notes
Exam Tip
Remember to double check the units on the alternating current and voltage graphs. These are
often shown in the range of milli-seconds (ms) instead of seconds (s) on the x axis.
Page 5 of 14
Using Sinusoidal Representations

The equation representing alternating current which gives the value of the current I at any time t is: Your notes
I = I0sin( ωt )
Where:
I = current (A)
I0 = peak current (A)
⍵ = angular frequency of the supply (rad s -1)
t = time (s)
Note: this a sine function since the alternative current graph is sinusoidal
A similar equation can be used for representing alternating voltage:
V = V 0sin( ωt )
Where:
V = voltage (V)
V0 = peak voltage (V)
Recall the relation between the equation for angular frequency ⍵:
2π
ω= = 2 πf
T
Page 6 of 14
Worked example
Your notes
An alternating current I varies with time t as shown in the graph below.
Using the graph and the equation for alternating current, calculate the value of the current at a
time 0.48 s.
Step 1: Write out the equation for alternating current
I = I0sin( ωt )
Step 2: Write out the equation for angular frequency
2π
ω=
T
Step 3:Measure the time period T and peak current I0 from the graph
The time period is the time taken for one full cycle, T = 0.10 s
Peak current (amplitude), I0 = 17 A
Step 4: Substitute values into alternating current equation at time t
Using the time given in the question, t = 0.48 s
Page 7 of 14
⎛ 2πt ⎞⎟
I = I0sin( ωt ) = I0sin ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎝ T ⎠ Your notes
⎛ 2π (0 . 48) ⎞⎟
I = 17sin ⎜⎜ ⎟ = − 16. 168 = − 16 A (2 s . f )
⎝ 0.1 ⎠
Exam Tip
These equations are written as , the x is replaced with I or V, depending on the
question.
Remember to check that your calculator is in radians mode when using any of these equations.
This is because the angular frequency ⍵ is measured in rad s -1.
Current can also be positive or negative, depending on its direction. This is why the answer in the
worked example is negative. At t = 0.48 s the current will be in the negative direction. The mark
schemes in the exams are normally not too picky about this, but the siz e of the current (16 A in the
worked example) is what will get the mark.
Page 8 of 14

Your notes
Root-mean-square (r.m.s) values of current, or voltage, are a useful way of comparing a.c current,
or voltage, to its equivalent direct current, or voltage
The r.m.s values represent the d.c current, or voltage, values that will produce the same heating
effect, or power dissipation, as the alternating current, or voltage
The r.m.s value of an alternating current is defined as:
The value of a constant current that produces the same power in a resistor as the
alternating current
The r.m.s current Ir.m.s is defined by the equation:
I0
I r . m .s =
2
The r.m.s value of an alternating voltage is defined as:
The value of a constant voltage that produces the same power in a resistor as the
alternating voltage
The r.m.s voltage Vr.m.s is defined by the equation:
V0
V r . m .s =
2
Where:
I0 = peak current (A)
V0 = peak voltage (V)
So, r.m.s current is equal to 0.707 × I0 , which is about 70% of the peak current I0
The r.m.s value is therefore defined as:
The steady direct current, or voltage that delivers the same average power in a
resistor as the alternating current, or voltage
A resistive load is an electrical component with resistance eg. a lamp
Peak voltage and RMS voltage
Page 9 of 14
Your notes
Vr.m.s and peak voltage. The r.m.s voltage is about 70% of the peak voltage
Page 10 of 14
Worked example
Your notes
An alternating current is I is represented by the equation
I = 410sin(100πt )
where I is measured in amperes and t is in seconds. For this alternating current, determine the
r.m.s current.
Answer:
Step 1: Write out the equation for r.m.s current
I0
I r . m .s =
2
Step 2:Determine the peak voltage I0
The alternating current equation is in the form: I = I0sin( ωt )

Comparing this to I = 410sin(100 πt ) means the peak current is I0 = 410 A
Step 3: Substitute into the Ir.m.s equation
410
I r . m .s = = 289 . 91 = 290 A (2 s . f . )
2
Exam Tip
This equation is not given on your data sheet, so make sure you remember it!
Page 11 of 14
Mean Power
Your notes
Mean Power
In mains electricity, current and voltage are varying all the time
This also means the power varies constantly, recall the equations for power:
V2
P = IV = I2 R =
R
Where:
I = direct current (A)
V = direct voltage (V)
R = resistance (Ω)
The r.m.s values means equations used for direct current and voltage can now be applied to
alternating current and voltage
These are also used to determine an average current or voltage for alternating supplies
Recall the equation for peak current:
I0 = 2 I r . m .s
The peak (maximum) power and the mean (average) power are given by:
P = (I 2
mean ) Rr . m .s
Ppeak = I02 R
Peak power can be written in terms of r.m.s current as
Ppeak = ( 2 I r . m .s ) 2 R
Therefore, peak power is related to mean power by:
2 (I 2
) R = 2P
r . m .s mean
Ppeak
P mean =
2
Therefore, it can be concluded that:
The mean power in a resistive load is half the maximum power for a sinusoidal
alternating current or voltage
Mean power on a graph
Page 12 of 14
Your notes
Mean power is exactly half the maximum power
Page 13 of 14
Worked example
Your notes
An alternating voltage supplied across a resistor of 40 Ω has a peak voltage V0 of 240 V.
Calculate the mean power of this supply.
Answer:
Step 1: Write down the known quantities
Resistance, R = 40 Ω
Peak voltage, V0 = 240 V
Step 2: Write out the equation for the peak power and calculate
V 02
P=
R
(240) 2
P= = 1440 W
40
Step 3:Calculate the mean power
The mean power is half of the maximum (peak) power
1440
Mean power = = 720 W
2
Exam Tip
You do not need to remember the derivation for the mean power, but it is useful to know where it
comes from. However, makes sure you remember its definition and know how to apply it in
questions.
Page 14 of 14

21.1 Characteristics of Alternating Currents A LEVEL PHY

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A Level Physics CIE Your notes

21.1 Characteristics of Alternating Currents

Alternating Current & Voltage

Use the graph to calculate the frequency of the supply.

Using Sinusoidal Representations

Root-Mean-Square Current & Voltage

Peak voltage and RMS voltage

The alternating current equation is in the form: I = I0sin( ωt )

Step 3: Substitute into the Ir.m.s equation

Mean power on a graph

Mean power is exactly half the maximum power

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