Alternating Current

ALTERNATING CURRENT
1. AC AND DC CURRENT :
A current that changes its direction periodically is called alternating current (AC). If a current maintains
its direction constant it is called direct current (DC).

i i

c onstant dc periodic dc

i i i

variable dc ac ac
If a function suppose current, varies with time as i = msin (t+), it is called sinusoidally varying
function. Here m is the peak current or maximum current and i is the instantaneous current. The factor
(t+) is called phase.  is called the angular frequency, its unit rad/s. Also  =2 f where f is called the
frequency, its unit s-1 or Hz. Also frequency f = 1/T where T is called the time period.

2. AVERAGE VALUE :
t2

 fdt t2

 fdt
t1
Average value of a function, from t1 to t2, is defined as <f> = . We can find the value of
t 2 − t1
t1

graphically if the graph is simple. It is the area of f-t graph from t1 to t2 .

(A) Average value of sin function is zero in a time period or integral multiple of time period. If i = m sin
t then average value of i in a time period is zero.
1
(B) Average value of square of sin function is in a time period or integral multiple of time period. If
2
1
i=msin2t then average value is .
2

Exercise 1. Find the average value of current shown graphically, from t = 0 to t = 2 sec.
i
(Amp)
10

0 1 2
t(sec)
Solution : From the i – t graph, area from t = 0 to t = 2 sec
1
= × 2 × 10 = 10 Amp. sec.
2
10
 Average Current = = 5 Amp.
2
 Alternating Current

3. ROOT MEAN SQUARE VALUE :

t2

f
2
dt
t1
Root Mean Square Value of a function, from t1 to t2, is defined as frms = .
t 2 − t1
1
(a) If the current varies as i = msin t then root mean square value of current is times of maximum
2
current.

m
irms =
2
(b) The r m s values for one cycle and half cycle (either positive half cycle or negative half cycle) is
same.

Example 2. Find the effective value of current i = 2 sin 100  t + 2 cos (100  t + 30º).

Solution : The equation can be written as i = 2 sin 100  t + 2 sin (100  t + 120º)
so phase difference  = 120º
m )res = A12 + A 22 + 2A1A 2 cos 

 1
= 4 + 4 + 2  2  2  –  = 2, so effective value or rms value = 2 / 2 = 2A
 2

4. AC SINUSOIDAL SOURCE :
Figure shows a coil rotating in a magnetic field. The flux in the coil changes as  = NBA cos (t + ).
− d
Emf induced in the coil, from Faraday’s law is = N B A  sin (t + ). Thus the emf between the
dt
points A and B will vary as E = E0 sin (t +) .The potential difference between the points A and B will
also vary as V = V sin (t + ). The symbolic notation of the above arrangement is A B. We do
0

not put any + or – sign on the AC source.

B
S

A B

5. POWER CONSUMED OR SUPPLIED IN AN AC CIRCUIT:

Consider an electrical device which may be a source, a capacitor, a resistor, an inductor or any
combination of these. Let the potential difference be v = VA–VB = Vm sint. Let the current through it be i
= I sin(t + ). Instantaneous power P consumed by the device = v i =(V m sin t ) (m sin(t + ))
 Alternating Current

2


 Pdt
Average power consumed in a cycle = o
= Vm m cos 
2

A i
B
devic e
Vm m
= . . cos  = Vrms rms cos .
2 2
Here cos  is called power factor.

Note : sin is called “wattless current”.

cos
 V


sin

5.1 POWER FACTOR

• The factor cos  present in the relation for average power of an ac circuit is called power factor
Pac P
so cos  = = av
ErmsIrms Pv
Thus, ratio of average power and virtual power in the circuit is equal to power factor.
• Power factor is also equal to the ratio of the resistance and the impedance of the ac circuit.
R
Thus, cos  =
Z
• Power factor depends upon the nature of the components used in the circuit.
• If a pure resistor is connected in the ac circuit then
 = 0, cos  = 1
E I E2
 Pav = 0 0 = 0 = ErmsIrms
2 2R
Thus the power loss is maximum and electrical energy is converted in the form of heat.
• If a pure inductor or a capacitor are connected in the ac circuit, then
 = ± 90º, cos  = 0
 Pav = 0 (minimum)
Thus there is no loss of power.
• If a resistor and an inductor or a capacitor are connected in an ac circuit, then
  0 or ± 90º
Thus  is in between 0 & 90º.
• If the components L, C and R are connected in series in an ac circuit, then
X (L – 1/ C)
tan  = =
R R
R R
and cos  = =
Z [R + (L − 1/ C)2 ]1/2
2

R
 Power factor cos  =
Z
• Power factor is a unit less quantity .
 Alternating Current

• If there is only inductance coil in the circuit, there will be no loss of power and energy will be stored in
the magnetic field.
• If a capacitor is only connected in the circuit, even then there will be no loss of power and energy will be
stored in the electrostatic field.
• In reality an inductor and a capacitor do have some resistance, so there is always some loss of power.
• In the state of resonance the power factor is one.

Example 3. When a voltage vs = sin 200 2 ( t + 15º) is applied to an AC circuit the current in the circuit is
found to be i = 2 sin ( t + /4) then average power consumed in the circuit is
(1) 200 watt (2) 400 2 watt (3) 100 6 watt (4) 200 2 watt
Solution : Pav = vrms rms cos 
200 2 2
= . cos (30º) =100 6 watt
2 2

6. SOME DEFINITIONS :
The factor cos  is called Power factor.
m sin  is called wattless current.
V V
Impedance Z is defined as Z = m = rms
m rms
L is called inductive reactance and is denoted by XL.
1
is called capacitive reactance and is denoted by XC.
C

7. PHASOR DIAGRAM
It is a diagram in which AC voltages and current are represented by rotating vectors. The phasor
represented by a vector of magnitude proportional to the peak value rotate counter clockwise with an
angular frequency  about the origin. The projection of the phasor on vertical axis gives the
instantaneous value of the alternating quantity
involved. For fig.

E0
E
I0
I I0

E = E0 sin t
I = I0 sin (t – /2)
= –I0 cost

8. PURELY RESISTIVE CIRCUIT:

Writing KVL along the circuit,

Vs - R = 0
V V sin t
or = s = m = m sin t
R R
 We see that the phase difference between potential difference across resistance, V R and R is 0.
 Alternating Current

Vm Vrms
m =  rms =
R R
Vrms2
<P> = Vrmsrmscos  =
R
Graphical and vector representations of E and I are shown below :

9. PURELY CAPACITIVE CIRCUIT:

Writing KVL along the circuit,
v s = Vm sin t

i
C
q
vs - =0
C
dq d(Cv) d(CVm sin t) V V
or i = = = =CVm cos t = m cos t = m cos t = m cos t.
dt dt dt 1 XC
C
1
XC = and is called capacitive reactance. Its unit is ohm .
C
From the graph of current versus time and voltage versus time, it is clear that current attains its peak
T T
value at a time before the time at which voltage attains its peak value. Corresponding to the
4 4
2 T 2 
phase difference = t = = = . iC leads vC by /2 Diagrammatically (phasor diagram) it is
T 4 4 2

represented as .
v
V
T
t

i
I
t

Since  =90º, <P> = Vrms rmscos  = 0

The graphical and vector representations of E and I are shown in the following figures :
 Alternating Current

Example 4. An alternating voltage E = 200 2 sin (100 t) V is connected to a 1F capacitor through an ac
ammeter (it reads rms value). What will be the reading of the ammeter?
Solution : Comparing E = 200 2 sin (100 t) with E = E0 sin t we find that,
E0 = 200 2 V and  = 100 (rad/s)
1 1
So, XC = = = 104 
C 100  10−6
And as ac instruments reads rms value, the reading of ammeter will be,
E E0  E0 
rms = rms = as Erms = 
XC 2XC  2
200 2
i.e. rms = = 20mA Ans
2  10 4

10. PURELY INDUCTIVE CIRCUIT:

Writing KVL along the circuit,
v s = Vm sin t

i
L
di di
vs - L =0 L =Vmsin t
dt dt
V
 Ldi =  V m sin t dt i = – m cos t + C
L
<i>=0 C=0
Vm V
 i=– cost m = m
L XL
T
From the graph of current versus time and voltage versus time , it is clear that voltage attains its
4
T
peak value at a time before the time at which current attains its peak value. Corresponding to the
4
2 T 2 
phase difference = t = = = . Diagrammatically (phasor diagram) it is represented as
T 4 4 2
Vm
. iL lags behind vL by /2.
m
v
V
T
t

i
I
t
 Alternating Current

Since  = 90º, <P> = VrmsIrmscos  = 0

Graphical and vector representations of E and I are shown in the following figures :

Summary :

AC source connected with  Z Phasor Diagram

v R is in
same Im
Pure Resistor 0 R Vm
phase
with iR
Vm
Pure Inductor /2 v L leads iL XL m

m
Pure Capacitor /2 v C lags iC XC Vm

11. RC SERIES CIRCUIT WITH AN AC SOURCE :

Let i = m sin (t + )  vR=iR= mR sin (t+)

vC= m XCsin (t +  − )  vS=vR + vC
2
vS= Vm sint

C R

or Vm sin (t+)= mR sin (t + ) + m XCsin (t +  − )
2

Vm = ( mR )2 + ( m XC )2 + 2(mR)(m XC)cos
2
Vm
or m = Z= R2 + XC2
R + XC2 2

Using phasor diagram also we can find the above result.

m
mR m

mXC Vm Vm
m XC XC 1
tan = = , XC = .
mR R c
 Alternating Current

Example 5. In an RC series circuit, the rms voltage of source is 200V and its frequency is 50 Hz.If
100
R =100  and C= F, find


(i) Impedance of the circuit (ii) Power factor angle

(iii) Power factor (iv) Current
(v) Maximum current (vi) voltage across R
(vii) voltage across C (viii) max voltage across R
(ix) max voltage across C (x) < P >
(xi) < PR > (xii) < PC >
106
Solution : XC= =100 
100
(250)

(i) Z= R2 + XC2 = 1002 + (100)2 =100 2 
XC
(ii) tan = =1  =45º
R
1
(iii) Power factor= cos =
2
Vrms 200
(iv) Current rms= = = 2
Z 100 2
(v) Maximum current =rms 2 =
(vi) voltage across R=VR,rms=rmsR= 2  Volt
(vii) voltage across C=VC,rms=rmsXC= 2  Volt
(viii) max voltage across R= 2 VR,rms= 200 Volt
(ix) max voltage across C= 2 VC,rms= 200 Volt
1
(x) <P>=Vrmsrmscos =  2  = Watt
2
(xi) <PR> = rms2R = 200 W
(x) <PC> = 0
Example 6. In the above question if vs(t) = 200 2 sin (2 50 t), find (a) i (t), (b) vR and (c) vC (t)
Solution : (a) i(t) = m sin (t + ) = 2 sin (2 50 t + 45º)
(b) vR = iR . R = i(t) R = 2 × 100 sin (100 t + 45º)
(c) vC (t) = iCXC (with a phase lag of 90º) = 2 ×100 sin (100 t + 45 – 90)

Example 7. An ac source of angular frequency  is fed across a resistor R and a capacitor C in series. The
current registered is . If now the frequency of source is changed to /3 (but maintaining the
same voltage), the current in the circuit is found to be halved. Calculate the ratio of reactance to
resistance at the original frequency .
Solution : According to given problem,
V V
= = 2 ... (1)
Z [R + (1/ C)2 ]1/2
 V
and, = 2 ...(2)
2 [R + (3 / C)2 ]1/2
Substituting the value of  from Equation (1) in (2),
 1  9 1 3
4  R2 + 2 2  = R2 + 2 2 . i.e., 2 2 = R 2
 C   C  C  5
 Alternating Current

1/2
3 2
R 
X (1/ C)  5  3
So that, = = = Ans.
R R R 5

12. LR SERIES CIRCUIT WITH AN AC SOURCE :

vS= Vsint XL
V V

R
L R 
From the phasor diagram
XL XL
V= ( R)2 + ( XL )2 =  (R)2 + ( XL )2 = Z  tan  =
R
=
R

9
Example 8. A H inductor and a 12 ohm resistance are connected in series to a 225 V, 50 Hz ac
100
source. Calculate the current in the circuit and the phase angle between the current and the
source voltage.
9
Solution : Here XL = L = 2 f L = 2 × 50 × =9
100
So, Z= R2 + XL 2 = 122 + 92 = 15 
V 225
So (a) I = = = 15 A Ans
Z 15
X   9 
and (b)  = tan–1  L  = tan–1  
 R   12 
= tan–1 3/4 = 37º
i.e., the current will lag the applied voltage by 37º in phase. Ans

Example 9. When an inductor coil is connected to an ideal battery of emf 10 V, a constant current 2.5 A
flows. When the same inductor coil is connected to an AC source of 10 V and 50 Hz then the
current is 2A. Find out inductance of the coil .
Solution : When the coil is connected to dc source, the final current is decided by the resistance of the
coil .
10
 r= = 
2.5
When the coil is connected to ac source, the final current is decided by the impedance of the
coil .
10
 Z= = 5
2
But Z= (r )2 + ( XL )2 XL2 = 52– 42 = 9
X L= 3 
 L =   fL = 3
   50 L = 3
 L = 3/100 Henry

Example 10. A bulb is rated at 100 V,100 W , it can be treated as a resistor .Find out the inductance of an
inductor (called choke coil ) that should be connected in series with the bulb to operate the bulb
at its rated power with the help of an ac source of 200 V and 50 Hz.
V 2
Solution : From the rating of the bulb , the resistance of the bulb is R= rms =100 
P
For the bulb to be operated at its rated value the rms current through it should be 
 Alternating Current

Vrms
Also, rms=
Z
200V ,50 Hz
1A

L R=100
200 3
 1= L= H
100 + (250L)
2 2 

Example 11. A choke coil is needed to operate an arc lamp at 160 V (rms) and 50 Hz. The arc lamp has an
effective resistance of 5  when running of 10 A (rms). Calculate the inductance of the choke
coil. If the same arc lamp is to be operated on 160 V (dc), what additional resistance is
required? Compare the power losses in both cases.
Solution : As for lamp VR = R = 10 × 5 = 50 V, so when it is connected to 160 V ac source through a
choke in series,
V2 = VR2 + VL2, VL = 1602 − 502 = 152 V
and as, VL = XL = L= 2fLI
VL 152
So, L= = = 4.84 × 10–2 H Ans.
2 f  2    50  10
Now the lamp is to be operated at 160 V dc; instead of choke if additional resistance r is put in
series with it,
V = (R + r), i.e., 160 = 10(5 + r)
i.e., r = 11  Ans.
Ark lamp

L R

VL VR

~
V = V0 sin t

In case of ac, as choke has no resistance, power loss in the choke

will be zero while the bulb will consume,
P = 2 R = 102 × 5 = 500 W
However, in case of dc as resistance r is to be used instead of choke, the power loss in the
resistance r will be.
PL = 102 × 11 = 1100 W
while the bulb will still consume 500 W, i.e., when the lamp is run on resistance r instead of
choke more than double the power consumed by the lamp is wasted by the resistance r.

13. LC SERIES CIRCUIT WITH AN AC SOURCE :

vS= Vsint XL

V
V 90
0


L C
 Alternating Current

From the phasor diagram

V =  ( XL − XC ) = Z  = 90º

14. RLC SERIES CIRCUIT WITH AN AC SOURCE :

vS= Vsint

L R C
From the phasor diagram
V= ( R)2 + ( XL − XC )2 =  (R)2 + ( XL − XC)2 = Z

Z= (R)2 + ( XL − XC)2
 ( XL − XC ) ( XL − XC )
tan  = =
R R

14.1 Resonance :
Amplitude of current (and therefore Irms also) in an RLC series circuit is maximum for a given value of V m
and R , if the impedance of the circuit is minimum, which will be when X L-XC =0. This condition is called
resonance.
So at resonance: XL-XC =0.
1 1
or L= or = . Let us denote this  as r.
C LC

Z m
m/max
Zm in

r r

Example 12. In the circuit shown in the figure , find

200V,50Hz

2 100 F
 100 

V V V
V
V
(a) the reactance of the circuit .
(b) impedance of the circuit
(c) the current
(d) readings of the ideal AC voltmeters
(these are hot wire instruments and
read rms values, they act on heating effect).
2
Solution : (a) XL = 2  f L = 2 × 50 × = 200 

 Alternating Current

1
XC = = 100 
100 −6
250  10

 The reactance of the circuit X = XL–XC = 200-100 = 100 
Since XL > XC ,the circuit is called inductive.
(b) impedance of the circuit Z = R2 + X2 = 1002 + 1002 =100 2 
V 200
(c) the current Irms= rms = = 2A
Z 100 2
(d) readings of the ideal voltmeter
V1: rmsXL = 200 2 Volt
V2: rmsR = 100 2 Volt
V3: rmsXc =100 2 Volt
V4: rms R2 + XL 2 = 100 10 Volt
V5: rmsZ = 200 Volt ,which also happens to be the voltage of source.

15. ADMITTANCE, SUSCEPTANCE AND CONDUCTANCE

• Admittance :
(a) The reciprocal of the impedance of an ac circuit is called admittance. It is represented by Y .
1 1
 Admittance =  Y=
Impedance Z
(b) The unit of admittance is (ohm)–1 or mho.
• Susceptance :
(a) The reciprocal of the reactance of an ac circuit is called susceptance. It is represented by S.
1 1
 Susceptance = or S=
Re ac tance X
(b) The unit of susceptance is (ohm)–1 or mho.
(c) The susceptance of a coil of inductance L is called inductive susceptance. It is equal to the
reciprocal of inductive reactance.
1
 Inductive susceptance =
Inductive reactance
(d) The susceptance of a capacitor of capacitance C is called capacitive susceptance. It is equal to the
reciprocal of capacitive reactance.
1
 Capacitive susceptance =
Capacitive reactance
1 1
SC = = = C mho
XC 1/ C

• Conductance :
(a) The reciprocal of resistance of a circuit is called conductance. It is represented by G.
1 1
 Conductance = or G=
Re sis tance R
(b) The unit of conductivity is also (ohm)–1 or mho.
In the circuit in which different components are connected in parallel and same emf is applied on them
its analysis in terms of admittance, susceptance and conductance becomes simpler because current in
a component = voltage/(Impedance or Reactance or Resistance) = Voltage × (Admittance or
Susceptance or Conductance)
 Alternating Current

16. HALF-POWER POINTS OR FREQUENCIES, BAND WIDTH & QUALITY FACTOR OF A SERIES
RESONANT CIRCUIT
(A) Half power frequencies
• The frequencies at which the power in the circuit is half of the maximum power (the power at
resonance), are called half-power frequencies. Thus at these freuencies
P
P = max
2

1
• The current in the circuit at half-power frequencies is or 0.707 or 70.7% of the maximum current
2
Imax (current at resonance).
I
Thus I = max = 0.707 Imax
2
• There are two half power frequencies f1 and f2 :

(a) Lower half power frequency (f1) :

This half power frequency is less than the resonant frequency. At this frequency the circuit is capacitive.

(b) Upper half power frequency (f2) :

This half-power frequency is greater than the resonant frequency. At this frequency the circuit is
inductive.
(B) Band width (f) :
• The difference of half-power frequencies f1 and f2 is called band-width (f)
• Band width f = (f2 – f1)
• For series resonant circuit :
1
0 =
LC

(C) Quality factor (Q) :

• In an ac circuit Q is defined by the following ratio :
Maximum energy stored 2 Maximum energy stored
Q = 2 × = ×
Energy dissipation per cycle T Mean power dissipated

• For an L–C–R series resonant circuit :

L 1  2f0
Q= r = = 0 =
R r CR  (f2 − f1 )2
 Alternating Current

• Quality factor in terms of band-width :

r 2fr fr f
Q= = = = r
2 − 1 2(f2 − f1 ) (f2 − f1 ) f

Re sonant frequency
• Quality factor =
Band width
Thus the ratio of the resonant frequency and the band-width is equal to the quality factor of the circuit.
• In the state of resonance the voltage across the resistor R will be equal to the applied voltage E. The
magnitudes of voltage across the inductor and the capacitor will be equal and their values will be equal
QE. Thus
E
 VL = IL = L = EQ
R
 I  E
and VC = I   = CR = EQ
  C 

(D) Sharpness of resonance :

• For an ac circuit Q measures the sharpness of resonance.

• When Q is large, the resonance is sharp and when Q is small, the resonance is flat.
• The sharpness of resonance is inversely proportional to the band-width and the resistance R.
• For resonance to be sharp the resistance of the circuit should be small.
17. FORM FACTOR
• Form factor for a sinusoidal current is defined as :
rms value of ac I I0  
Form factor = = rms = .=
Average value of positive half cycle 2I0 /  2 2I0 2 2
• Similarly form factor for a sinusoidal voltage :
rms value of alternating voltage 
F= =
Average value of positive half cycle 2 2
18. TRANSFORMER
• It is an instrument which changes the magnitude of alternating voltage or current.
• The magnitude of D.C. voltage or current cannot be changed by it.
• It works with alternating current but not with direct current.
• It converts magnetic energy into electrical energy.
• It works on the principle of electro-magnetic induction.
• It consists of two coils :
(a) Primary coil : in which input voltage is applied.
(b) Secondary coil : from which output voltage is obtained.
 Alternating Current

• The frequency of the output voltage produced by the transformer is same as that of input voltage, i.e.,
frequency remains unchanged.

• Transformer core is laminated and is made of soft iron.

• Let the number of turns in the primary coil be np and voltage applied to it be Ep and the number of turns
in the secondary coil be ns and voltage output be Es, then
E s ns
= =K
Ep np
Thus the ratio of voltage obtained in the secondary coil to the voltage applied in the primary coil
is equal to the ratio of number of turns of respective coils. This ratio is represented by K and it
called transformer ratio.
• If ns > np , then Es > Ep and K > 1. The transformer is called step-up transformer.

• If ns < np, then Es < Ep and K < 1. The transformer is called step-down transformer.

• In ideal transformer
Input power = output power
EpIp = EsIs
where ip – current in primary coil
Is – current in secondary coil
Ip Es ns
or = = =K
Is Ep np
Is Ep 1
or = =
Ip Es K
Thus the ratio of currents in the secondary coil and the primary coil is inverse of the ratio of
respective voltages.
• As the voltage changes by the transformer, the current changes in the same ratio but in opposite sense,
i.e., the current decreases with the increase of voltage and similarly the current increases with the
decrease of voltage. Due to this reason the coil in which voltage is lesser, the current will be higher and
therefore this coil is thicker in comparison to the other coil so that it can bear the heat due to flow of
high current.
• In step-up transformer
ns > np , K > 1  Es > Ep and Is < Ip
and in step down transformer
ns < np, K < 1  Es < Ep and Is > Ip

• If Zp and Zs are impedances of primary and secondary coils respectively, then

 Alternating Current

Es Ip ns Zs
= = =
Ep Is np Zp
• Law of conservation of energy is applicable in the transformer.
Power obtained from sec ondary coil
• Efficiency of transformer  100%
Power applied in primary coil
Generally the efficiency of transformers is found in between 90% to 100%.
• Energy losses in transformers : Losses of energy are due to following reasons :
(a) Copper losses due to resistance of coils
(b) Eddy current losses in core.
(c) Hysteresis losses in core.
(d) Flux leakage due to poor linking of magnetic flux.
• Uses of transformer :
(a) Step down and step up transformer are used in electrical power distribution.
(b) Audio frequency transformer are used in radiography, television, radio, telephone etc.
(c) Ratio frequency transformer are used in radio communication.
(d) Transformers are also used in impedance matching.

Example 13. A 50 Hz a.c. current of crest value 1A flows through the primary of a transformer. If the mutual
inductance between the primary and secondary be 1.5 H, the crest voltage induced in
secondary is
(1) 75V (2) 150V (3) 225V (4) 300V
Solution : The crest value is attained in T/4 time where T is the time period of A.C.
Thus dI = 1A in dt = T/4 sec.
1 1
T= or dt =
50 200
dI 1
The induced emf is |E2| = M 1 = 1.5  = 1.5 × 200 = 300 V
dt (1/ 200)
The correct answer is (4)

Problem 1. The peak voltage in a 220 V AC source is

(1) 220 V (2) about 160 V (3) about 310 V (4) 440 V
Solution : V0 = 2 Vrms = 2 × 220  310 V
Ans is (3)
Problem 2. An AC source is rated 220 V, 50 Hz. The average voltage is calculated in a time interval of
0.01 s. It
(1) must be zero (2) may be zero (3) is never zero (4) is (220/2)V
Solution : May be zero
Ans. is (2)
Problem 3. Find the effective value of current i = 2 + 4 cos 100  t.
1/2
 T ( 2 + 4cos100t )2 dt 
Solution : rms = 
 
0 T 
= 2 3
 
Problem 4. The peak value of an alternating current is 5 A and its frequency is 60 Hz. Find its rms value.
How long will the current take to reach the peak value starting from zero?
 5 T 1
Solution : RMS = 0 = A, t= = s
2 2 4 240
Problem 5. An alternating current having peak value 14 A is used to heat a metal wire. To produce the
same heating effect, a constant current i can be used where i is
(1) 14 A (2) about 20 A (3) 7 A (4) about 10 A
0 14
Solution : RMS = =  10 Ans. is (4)
2 2
 Alternating Current

Problem 6. Find the average power consumed in the circuit if a voltage vs = 200 2 sin  t is applied to an
AC circuit and the current in the circuit is found to be i = 2 sin ( t + /4) .
200 2 2 
Solution : P = VRMS RMS cos  =  × cos = 200 W
2 2 4
Problem 7. A capacitor acts as an infinite resistance for
(1) DC (2) AC
(3) DC as well as AC (4) neither AC nor DC
1
Solution : xC = for DC  = 0. so, xC = 
c
Ans. is (1)
Problem 8. A 10 F capacitor is connected with an ac source E = 200 sin (100 t) V through an ac
ammeter (it reads rms value) . What will be the reading of the ammeter?
V 200 2 
Solution : 0 = 0 = ; RMS = 0 = 200 mA
xC 1/ C 2
Problem 9. Find the reactance of a capacitor (C = 200 F) when it is connected to (a) 10 Hz AC source,
(b) a 50 Hz AC source and (c) a 500 Hz AC source.
1 1
Solution : (a) xC = = ~ 80  for f = 10 Hz AC source,
C 2fC
1 1
(b) xC = = ~ 16  for f = 50 Hz and
C 2fC
1 1
(c) xC = = ~ 1.6  for f= 500 Hz.
C 2fC
Problem 10. An inductor (L = 200 mH) is connected to an AC source of peak current. What is the
instantaneous voltage of the source when the current is at its peak value?
Solution : Because phase difference between voltage and current is /2 for pure inductor.
So, Ans. is zero
Problem 11. An AC source producing emf  = 0[cos(100  s -1)t + cos(500  s -1)t]is connected in series with
a capacitor and a resistor. The current in the circuit is found to be i = i 1 cos[(100  s -1)t + 1]+i2
cos[(500  s -1)t+ 1]
(1) i1 > i2
(2) i1 = i2
(3) i1 < i2
(4) the information is insufficient to find the relation between i1 and i2
2
 1 
 C  + R
2
Solution : Impedence z is given by z =
 
For higher , z will be lower so current will be higher
Ans is (3)
Problem 12. An alternating voltage of 220 volt r.m.s. at a frequency of 40 cycles/sec is supplied to a circuit
containing a pure inductance of 0.01 H and a pure resistance of 6 ohms in series. Calculate
(i) the current, (ii) potential difference across the resistance, (iii) potential difference across the
inductance, (iv) the time lag, (v) power factor.
Solution : (i) z= (L)2 + R2 = (2  40  0.012 )2 + 62 = (42.4)
220
RMS = = 33.83 amp.
z
(ii) VRMS = RMS × R = 202.98 volts
(iii) L × RMS = 96.83 volts

(iv) t=T = 0.01579 sec
2
R
(v) cos  = = 0.92
Z
 Alternating Current

Problem 13. Which of the following plots may represent the reactance of a series LC combination ?
A
C
B
frequency
D
Ans. D
Problem 14. A series AC circuit has resistance of 4  and a reactance of 3 . the impedance of the circuit is
(1) 5  (2) 7  (3) 12/7  (4) 7/12 
Solution : Z = 42 + 32 = 5  Ans. is (A)
Problem 15.
Comprehension - 1
A voltage source V = V0 sin (100 t) is connected to a black box in which there can be either one element
out of L, C, R or any two of them connected in series.
Black Box

V=V0sin(100t)
At steady state. the variation of current in the circuit and the source voltage are plotted together with
time, using an oscilloscope, as shown

1. The element(s) present in black box is/are :

(1) only C (2) L C (3) L and R (4*) R and C
Sol. As current is leading the source voltage, so circuit should be capacitive in nature and as phase

difference is not , it must contain resistor also.
2
2. Values of the parameters of the elements, present in the black box are -
(1*) R = 50 , C = 200 µf (2) R = 50 , L = 2mµ
(3) R = 400  , C = 50 µ f (4) None of these
    1   1
Sol. Time delay = =  =  tan–1   =  =R
 400 4  R C  4 C
v0
i0 =
2
 1 
R2 +  
 C 
100 1
2 = → R = 50  and C = = 200 µF
R +R2 2 50  100

3. If AC source is removed, the circuit is shorted for some time so that capacitor is fully discharged and
then a battery of constant EMF is connected across the black box. At t = 0, the current in the circuit
will -
(1) increase exponentially with time constant = 0.02 sec.
(2*) decrease exponentially with time constant = 0.01 sec.
(3) oscillate with angular frequency 20 rad/sec
(4) first increase and then decrease
t
–
Sol. For DC circuit  i = i0 e RC and RC = 0.01 sec.
 Alternating Current

1
t
Problem 16.
Comprehension-2
An ac generator G with an adjustable frequency of oscillation is used in the circuit, as shown.
R=100
L1=1.6mH
C3=2.5F
G S C1=3F
C2=
4.5F
L2=2.4mH

1. Current drawn from the ac source will be maximum if its angular frequency is -
(1) 105 rad/s (2) 104 rad/s (3*) 5000 rad/s (4) 500 rad/s
Sol. Current drawn is maximum at resonant angular frequency
Leq = 4 mH Ceq = 10 F
1
= = 5000 rad/s
LC
2. To increase resonant frequency of the circuit, some of the changes in the circuit are carried out. Which
change(s) would certainly result in the increase in resonant frequency ?
(1) R is increased.
(2) L1 is increased and C1 is decreased.
(3) L2 is decreased and C2 is increased.
(4*) C3 is removed from the circuit.
Sol. (4) Ceq decreases thereby increasing resonant frequency.
3. If the ac source G is of 100 V rating at resonant frequency of the circuit, then average power supplied
by the source is -
(1) 50 W (2*) 100 W (3) 500 W (4) 1000 W
100
Sol. At resonance irms = = 1A
100
Power supplied = Vrms Irms cos  ( = 0 at resonance) P = 100 W

KEY CONCEPT
 AC and DC Current :
A current that changes its direction periodically is called alternating current (AC). If a current maintains
its direction constant it is called direct current (DC).
i i i i i

c onstant dc periodic dc variable dc ac ac

 Average Value :
t2

 f.dt
t1
Average value of a function, from t1 to t2, is defined as < f > = .
t 2 − t1
Alternating Current

 Root Mean Square Value:

t2

f
2
dt
t1
Root Mean Square Value of a function, from t1 to t2, is defined as frms = .
t 2 − t1

 Power Consumed or Supplied in an ac Circuit:

Instantaneous power P consumed by the device = V i =(Vm sin t ) (m sin(t + ))
A i
B
devic e
2


 Pdt 1 V 
Average power consumed in a cycle = o
= Vm m cos  = m . m . cos  = Vrms rms cos .
2 2 2 2

Here cos  is called power factor.
 Some Definitions:
The factor cos  is called Power factor.
m sin  is called wattless current.
V V
Impedance Z is defined as Z = m = rms
m rms
L is called inductive reactance and is denoted by XL.
1
is called capacitive reactance and is denoted by XC.
C
 Purely Resistive Circuit:
Vs V sin t Vm V V 2
= = m = m sin t  m =  rms = rms <P> = Vrmsrmscos  = rms
R R R R R

 Purely Capacitive Circuit:

dq d(CV) d(CVm sin t) Vm V

= = = =CVm cos t = cos t = cos t = m m cos t.
dt dt dt 1 XC
C
1 m
XC = and is called capacitive reactance .
C V m
Alternating Current

C leads VC by /2 Diagrammatically (phasor diagram) it is represented as .

Since  =º, <P> = Vrms rmscos  = 

 RLC Series Circuit With An ac Source :

XL (XL – XL)

vS= Vsint V V


XR R


L R C XC
From the phasor diagram
V= ( R)2 + ( XL − XC )2 =  (R)2 + ( XL − XC)2 = Z Z= (R)2 + ( XL − XC)2
 ( XL − XC ) ( XL − XC )
tan  = =
R R
 Resonance :
Amplitude of current (and therefore Irms also) in an RLC series circuit is maximum for a given value of
Vm and R , if the impedance of the circuit is minimum, which will be when X L-XC =0. This condition is
called resonance.
So at resonance: XL-XC =0.
1 1
or L= or = . Let us denote this  as r.
C LC

Z m
m/max
Zm in

r r
XL X
Quality factor : Q = = C
R R
Re sonance freq. R fR
Q= = =
Band width  f2 − f1
where f1 & f2 are half power frequencies.
 Transformer ;
A transformer changes an alternating potential difference from one value to another of greater or
E N p
smaller value using the principle of mutual induction . For an ideal transformer s = s = , where
Ep Np s
denotations have their usual meanings.
ES N and  are the emf, number of turns and current in the coils.
N S > NP  ES > EP → step up transformer.
N S < NP  ES < EP → step down transformer.
Magnetic Core

S

EP ES

Primary Secondary
coil coil
Energy Losses In Transformer are due to
1. Resistance of the windings.
2. Eddy Current.
3. Hysteresis.
4. Flux Leakage.
 Alternating Current
LEVEL: 01
ONLY ONE OPTION CORRECT TYPE
SECTION (A) : AVERAGE, PEAK AND RMS VALUES
1. If the value of potential in an A.C. circuit is 10V, then the peak value of potential is -[CPMT-2003]
10 20
(1) (2) 10 2 (3) 20 2 (4)
2 2
2. In a A.C. circuit of capacitance the phase of current from potential is - [CPMT-2003]
(1) Forward (2) Backward
(3) Both are in the same phase (4) None of these
3. A coil of 200  resistance and 1.0 H inductance is connected to an A.C source of frequency 200/2 Hz.
Phase angle between potential and current will be - [MP PMT-2003]
(1) 30º (2) 90º (3) 45º (4) 0º
4. The hot wire ammeter measures : [R_PMT 2004]
(1) D.C. current (2) A.C. Current (3) none of above (4) both (1) and (2)

5. A capacitor is a perfect insulator for :

(1) constant direct current (2) alternating current
(3) direct as well as alternating current (4) variable direct current
6. A choke coil sould have :
(1) high inductance and high resistance (2) low inductance and low resistance
(3) high inductance and low resistance (4) low inductance and high resistance

7. An AC voltage source V = 200 2 sin 100 t is connected across a circuit containing an AC ammeter (it
reads rms value) and capacitor of capacity 1 F. The reading of ammeter is :
(1) 10 mA (2) 20 mA (3) 40 mA (4) 80 mA

8. Average value of A.C. current in a half time period may be :

(1) positive (2) negative (3) zero (4) All of these

9. An alternating current is given by  = 1 cost + 2 sint. The rms current is given by-
[MPPMT-1994]
1 1 1 2 1 2
(1) (1 + 2 ) (2) (1 + 2 ) 2
(3) (1 + 2 )
2 1/2
(4) (1 + 22 )1/2
2 2 2 2

10. The peak value of A.C. is 2 2 amp., its apparent value is- (in amp.) [RPMT-1996]
(1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 4 (4) zero

11. r.m.s. value of current i = 3 + 4 sin ( t + /3) is:

5 7
(1) 5 A (2) 17 A (3) A (4) A
2 2
12. The peak value of an alternating e.m.f E given by E = E 0 cos  t is 10 volt and frequency is 50 Hz. At
time t = (1/600) sec, the instantaneous value of e.m.f is :
(1) 10 volt (2) 5 3 volt (3) 5 volt (4) 1 volt
13. An alternating voltage is given by : e = e1 sin  t + e2 cos  t. Then the root mean square value of voltage
is given by :
e1 e2 e12 + e22
(1) e12 + e22 (2) e1 e2 (3) (4)
2 2

14. An AC voltage is given by :

2 t
E = E0 sin
T
Then the mean value of voltage calculated over time interval of T/2 seconds :
(1) is always zero (2) is never zero (3) is (2e0/) always (4) may be zero
 Alternating Current

15. The voltage of an AC source varies with time according to the equation, V = 100 sin 100  t cos 100  t.
Where t is in second and V is in volt. Then :
(1) the peak voltage of the source is 100 volt (2) the peak voltage of the source is (100/ 2 ) volt
(3) the peak voltage of the source is 50 volt (4) the frequency of the source is 50 Hz

 
16. An AC voltage of V = 220 2 sin  250 t +  is applied across a DC voltmeter, its reading will be:
 2 
(1) 220 2 V (2) 2V (3) 220 V (4) zero

17. The r.m.s value of an A.C. of 50 Hz is 10 amp. The time taken by the alternating current in reaching
from zero to maximum value find the peak value will be - [Karnataka CET-2003]
(1) 2 × 10–2 sec and 14.14 amp (2) 1 × 10–2 sec and 7.07 amp
(3) 5 × 10–3 sec and 7.07 amp (4) 5 × 10–3 sec and 14.14 amp

18. If instantaneous current is given by i = 4 cos (t + ) amperes, then the r.m.s value of current is –
[RPET-2000]
(1) 4 amperes (2) 2 2 amperes (3) 4 2 amperes (4) zero amperes

19. A 40 electric heater is connected to a 200V, 50 Hz mains supply. The peak value of electric current
flowing in the circuir is approximately- [MPPET-1992]
(1) 2.5 A (2) 5.0 A (3) 7 A (4) 10 A

20. When magnet is approached near a glowing bulb, the vibrations are produced in filament carrying
current, then the current through the filament is- [DRM-1993]
(1) D.C. (2) A.C.
(3) Mixture of A.C. and D.C. (4) Nothing can be said
21. An AC ammeter is used to measure current in a circuit. When a given direct constant current passes
through the circuit, the AC ammeter reads 3 ampere. When an alternating current passes through the
circuit, the AC ammeter reads 4 ampere. Then the reading of this ammeter if DC and AC flow through
the circuit simultaneously, is :
(1) 3 A (2) 4 A (3) 7 A (4) 5 A

SECTION (B) : POWER CONSUMED IN AN AC CIRCUIT

1. A choke coil is preferred to a rheostat in AC circuit as :
(1) it consumes almost zero power (2) it increases current
(3) it increases power (4) it increases voltage

2. Average power consumed in an A.C. series circuit is given by (symbols have their usual meaning) :
E 2R
(1) Erms rms cos (2) (rms)2 R (3) max 2 (4) All of these
2(| z |)

3. A circuit with e.m.f. E = 200 sin t, contains a capacitance and inductance, then the value of power
factor will be- [RPET-1995]
(1) 0 (2) 1 (3) 0.6 (4) 0.3
4. If a chocke coil of negligible resistance works on 220 volt source and 5m. Amp. current is flowing
through it, then the loss of power in chocke coil is- [RPMT-1995]
3
(1) 0 (2) 11 watt (3) 44 × 10 watt (4) 1.1 watt

5. The value of current at half power point is- [RPET-1995]

 
(1) m 2 (2) m (3) 2 m (4) m
2 2
 
6. Expressions for emf and current in an A.C. circuit are E = 200 sin 314 t volt and  = 100 sin  314 + 
 3
amp. The power factor is- [RPMT-1996]
1 1
(1) (2) (3) 1 (4) –1
2 4
 Alternating Current

7. In a series LR circuit, the voltage drop across inductor is 8 volt and across resistor is 6 volt. Then
voltage applied and power factor of circuit respectively are:
(1) 14 V, 0.8 (2) 10 V, 0.8 (3) 10 V, 0.6 (4) 14 V, 0.6

8. In an a.c. circuit the e.m. f, (e) and the corrent (i) at any instant are givan respectively by :
e = E0 sint
i = l0 sin (t - )
The average power in the circuit over one cycle of a.c. is : [AIPMT 2008]
E0 l0 E0 l0 E0 l0
(1) cos  (2) E0I0 (3) (4) sin 
2 2 2
9. The power factor of an A.C. circuit having resistance R and inductance L (connected in series) and an
angular velocity  is –
R R L R
(1) (2) (3) (4)
L (R +  L )
2 2 2 1/2 R (R – 2L2 )1/2
2

10. The average power delivered to a series AC circuit is given by (symbols have their usual meaning) :
(1) Erms rms (2) Erms rms cos  (3) Erms rms sin  (4) zero

11. The potential difference V across and the current  flowing through an instrument in an AC circuit are
given by :
V = 5 cos  t volt
 = 2 sin  t volt
The power dissipated in the instrument is :
(1) zero (2) 5 watt (3) 10 watt (4) 2.5 watt

12. 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 in the same time interval will be:
(1) 1 : 1 (2) 1 : 2 (3) 2 : 1 (4) 4 : 1

13. A sinusoidal AC current flows through a resistor of resistance R. If the peak current is p, then average
power dissipated is :
1 4 1
(1) Ip2 Rcos  (2) Ip2 R (3) Ip2R (4) 2 Ip2R
2  
14. What is the rms value of an alternating current which when passed through a resistor produces heat,
which is thrice that produced by a current of 2 ampere in the same resistor in the same time interval?
(1) 6 ampere (2) 2 ampere (3) 2 3 ampere (4) 0.65 ampere

 
15. If a current I given by I0 sin  t −  flows in an A.C. circuit across which an A.C. potential of E = E 0
 2 
sin t has been applied, then the power consumption P in the circuit will be - [MP PET-2001,02]
E0I0 E0 I0
(1) P = (2) P = 2E0I0 (3) P = (4) P = 0
2 2

16. You have two copper cables of equal length for carrying current. One of them has a single wire of area
A
of cross-section A, the other has ten wires of cross-section each. Judge their suitability for
10
transporting AC and DC- [CPMT-1994]
(1) Only single strand for DC and only multiple strand for AC
(2) Either for DC, only multiple strands for AC
(3) Only single strand for AC, either for DC
(4) Only single strand for DC, either for AC
17. The self inductance of a choke coil is 10 mH. When it is conected with a 10V D.C. source, then the loss
of power is 20 watt. When it is connected with 10 volt A.C. source loss of power is 10 watt. The
frequency of A.C. source will be- [RPMT-1995]
(1) 50 Hz (2) 60 Hz (3) 80 Hz (4) 100 Hz
 Alternating Current

18. If the frequency of the source e.m.f. in an AC circuit is n, the power varies with a frequency :
(1) n (2) 2 n (3) n/2 (4) zero
19. A coil of inductive reactance 31 has a resistance of 8 It is placed in series with a condenser of
capacitative reactance 25. The combination is connected to an a.c. source of 110 volt. The power
factor of the circuit is : [AIPMT 2006]
(1) 0.56 (2) 0.64 (3) 0.80 (4) 0.33

20. A circuit has a resistance of 12 ohm and an impedance of 15 ohm. The power factor of the circuit will be
: [AIEEE 2005; 4/300]
(1) 0.8 (2) 0.4 (3) 1.25 (4) 0.125
21. A coil of inductance 5.0 mH and negligible resistance is connected to an alternating voltage
V = 10 sin (100 t). The peak current in the circuit will be :
(1) 2 amp (2) 1 amp (3) 10 amp (4) 20 amp

22. A resistor and a capacitor are connected to an AC supply of 200 volt, 50 Hz in series. The current in the
circuit is 2 ampere. If the power consumed in the circuit is 100 watt, then the resistance in the circuit is:
(1) 100  (2) 25  (3) 125  75 (4) 400 

23. The impedance of a series circuit consists of 3 ohm resistance and 4 ohm reactance. The power factor
of the circuit is :
(1) 0.4 (2) 0.6 (3) 0.8 (4) 1.0
SECTION (C) : AC SOURCE WITH R, L, C CONNECTED IN SERIES
1. A series LCR circular in connected to a.c. source of variable frequency ‘f’. The graphical represenration
of variation of impendance ‘z’ of the circuit with frequency f will be [RPMT-2014]

(1) (2)

(3) (4)

2. With increase in frequency of an AC supply, the inductive reactance :

(1) decreases (2) increases directly proportional to frequency
(3) increases as square of frequency (4) decreases inversely with frequency
3. With increase in frequency of an AC supply, the capacitive reactance :
(1) varies inversely with frequency (2) varies directly with frequency
(3) varies directly as square of frequency (4) remains constant

4. In an a.c. circuit consisting of resistance R and inductance L, the voltage across R is 60 volt and that
across L is 80 volt. The total voltage across the combination is
(1) 140 V (2) 20 V (3) 100 V (4) 70 V

5. An e.m.f. E = 4 cos 1000t volt is applied to an LR circuit of inductance 3mH and resistance 4. The
amplitude of the current in the circuit is- [AIIMS-1994]
4 5
(1) 1.0 A (2) 0.8 A (3) A (4) A
7 7
 Alternating Current

6. A coil has reactance of 100 when freqency is 50 Hz. If the frequency becomes 150 Hz, then the
reactance will be- [RPMT-1995]
(1) 100 (2) 300 (3) 450 (4) 600

7. The current in a circuit containing a capacitance C and a resistance R in series leads over the applied

voltage of frequency by. [REE - 1991]
2
 1   1
(1) tan–1   (2) tan–1 (CR) (3) tan–1    (4) cos–1 (CR)
  CR   R 

8. In a circuit, an inductance of 0.1 Henry and a resistance of 1 are connected in series with an AC
source of voltage V = 5 sin 10 t. The phase difference between the current and applied voltage will be
[REE - 1996]
(1)  (2) 2 (3) /4 (4) 0

9. If a resistance of 30, a capacitor of reactance 20 , and an inductor of inductive reactance

60 are connected in series to a 100 V, 50 Hz power source, then - [REE - 94]
(1) A current of 2.0 A flows (2) A current of 3.33 A flows
(3) Power factor of the circuit is zero (4) Power factor of the circuit is 2/5

10. The output of an AC generator is given by : E = Emsin(t – /4) and current is given by
i = imsin(t – 3/4). The circuit contains a single element other than the generator. It is :
(1) a capacitor. (2) a resistor.
(3) an inductor. (4) not possible to decide due to lack of information.

11. If the readings of v1 and v3 are 100 volt each then reading of v2 is :

(1) 0 volt
(2) 100 volt
(3) 200 volt
(4) cannot be determined by given information.

12. In an LRC series circuit at resonance current in the circuit is 10 2 A. If now frequency of the source is
changed such that now current lags by 45° than applied voltage in the circuit. Which of the following is
correct :
(1) Frequency must be increased and current after the change is 10 A
(2) Frequency must be decreased and current after the change is 10 A
(3) Frequency must be decreased and current is same as that of initial value
(4) The given information is insufficient to conclude anything [Made 2006, CSS, GRSTU]

13. In a pure inductive circuit or in an A.C. circuit containing inductance only, the current-
[UPCPMT-1990, MPPMT, RPMT-1993]
(1) Leads the e.m.f. by 90°
(2) Lags behind the e.m.f. by 90°
(3) Sometimes leads and sometime lags behind the e.m.f.
(4) Is in phase with the e.m.f.

14. A series combination of R, L, C is connected to an a.c. source. If the resistance is 3 and the reactance
is 4, the power factor of the circuit is- [CPMT-1994]
(1) 0.4 (2) 0.6 (3) 0.8 (4) 1.0
15. A 12 resistor and a 0.21 henry inductor are connected in series to an AC source operating at 20 volt,
50 Hz. The phase angle between the current and the source voltage is- [BHU-1994]
(1) 30° (2) 40° (3) 80° (4) 90°
 Alternating Current

16. When 100 V DC is applied across a solenoid, a steady current of 1 A flows in it. When 100 V AC is
applied across the same solenoid, the current drops to 0.5 A. If the frequency of the AC source is
150 3 / Hz, the impedance and inductance of the solenoid are :
(1) 200  and 1/3 H (2) 100  and 1/16 H
(3) 200  and 1.0 H (4) 1100  and 3/117 H

17. If in a series LCR AC circuit, the rms voltage across L, C and R are V1, V2 and V3 respectively, then the
rms voltage of the source is always :
(1) equal to V1 + V2 + V3 (2) equal to V1 – V2 + V3
(3) more than V1 + V2 + V3 (4) none of these is true

18. In the series LCR circuit as shown in figure, the voltmeter and ammeter readings are :

(1) V = 100 volt,  = 2 amp (2) V = 100 volt,  = 5 amp

(3) V = 1000 volt,  = 2 amp (4) V = 300 volt,  = 1 amp

19. An AC voltage source of variable angular frequency  and fixed amplitude V connected in series with a
capacitance C and an electric bulb of resistance R (inductance zero). When  is increased :
[JEE 2010; 3/163, –1]
(1) the bulb glows dimmer (2) the bulb glows brighter
(3) total impedence of the circuit is unchanged (4) total impedence of the circuit increases

20. In a circuit L,C and R are connected in series with an alternating voltage source of frequency f. The
current leads the voltage by 450 The value of C is : [AIPMT 2005]
1 1 1 1
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2f(2fL − R) 2f(2fL + R f(2fL − R) f(2fL + R)
21. In an LCR series a.c. circuit, the voltage across each of the components. L, C and R is 50 V. The
voltage across the LC combination will be : [AIEEE 2004, 4/300]
(1) 50 V (2) 50 3 s (3) 100 V (4) 0 V (zero)

22. The phase difference between the alternating current and emf is /2. Which of the following cannot be
the constituent of the circuit? [AIEEE 2005; 4/300]
(1) C alone (2) R, L (3) L, C (4) L alone

23. An alternating voltage E = 200 2 sin (100 t) is connected to a 1 microfarad capacitor through an A.C.
ammeter. The reading of the ammeter shall be - [UPSEAT-2000]
(1) 10 mA (2) 20 mA (3) 40 mA (4) 80 mA

24. A 0.21-H inductor and a 88- resistor are connected in series to a 220-V, 50-Hz AC source. The
current in the circuit and the phase angle between the current and the source voltage are respectively.
Use  = 22/7.
(1) 2 A, tan–1 ¾ (2) 14.4 A, tan–1 7/8 (3) 14.4 A, tan–1 8/7 (4) 3.28 A, tan–1 2/11

25. An LCR series circuit with 100  resistance is connected to an AC source of 200 V and
angular frequency 300 radians per second. When only the capacitance is removed, the current lags
behind the voltage by 60°. When only the inductance is removed, the current leads the voltage by 60º.
Then the current and power dissipated in LCR circuit are respectively
(1) 1A, 200 watt. (2) 1A, 400 watt. (3) 2A, 200 watt. (4) 2A, 400 watt.

26. A 100 volt AC source of angular frequency 500 rad/s is connected to a LCR circuit with L = 0.8 H,
C = 5 F and R = 10 , all connected in series. The potential difference across the resistance is
100
(1) volt (2) 100 volt (3) 50 volt (4) 50 3
2
 Alternating Current

27. A pure resistive circuit element X when connected to an AC supply of peak voltage 200 V gives a peak
current of 5 A which is in phase with the voltage. A second circuit element Y, when connected to the
same AC supply also gives the same value of peak current but the current lags behind by 90°. If the
series combination of X and Y is connected to the same supply, what will be the rms value of current ?
10 5 5
(1) amp (2) amp (3) amp (4) 5 amp
2 2 2

175
28. In an L-R series circuit (L = mH and R = 12), a variable emf source (V = V0 sin t) of
11
Vrms = 130 2 V and frequency 50 Hz is applied. The current amplitude in the circuit and phase of
current with respect to voltage are respectively (Use  = 22/7)
5 5 5
(1) 14.14A, 30° (2) 10 2 A, tan-1 (3) 10 A, tan-1 (4) 20 A, tan-1
12 12 12
29. In an AC circuit, a resistance of R ohm is connected in series with an inductance L. If phase angle
between voltage and current be 45°, the value of inductive reactance will be.
(1) R/4 (2) R/2
(3) R (4) cannot be found with the given data

30. In an AC circuit the potential differences across an inductance and resistance joined in series are
respectively 16 V and 20 V. The total potential difference across the circuit is
(1) 20 V (2) 25.6 V (3) 31.9 V (4) 53.5 V

31. An alternating current of frequency ‘f’ is flowing in a circuit containing a resistance R and a choke L in
series. The impedance of this circuit is - [RPET-2001,03]
(1) R + 2fL (2) R2 + 42 f 2L2 (3) R2 + L2 (4) R2 + 2fL

32. An alternating current flows through a circuit consisting of inductance L and resistance R. Periodicity of

the supply is which of the following is true- [MPPMT-1993]
2
(1) The limiting value of impedance is L for low frequency
(2) The limiting value of impedance for high frequency is L
(3) The limiting value of impedance for high frequency is R
(4) The limiting value of impedance for low frequency is L

33. In following diagram voltage on L and C is- [UPPMT-1993]

L C

(1) In same phase (2) With phase angle of 90°

(3) In phase angle of 180° (4) It will depends on the value of L and C

34. An LCR series circuit is connected to a source of alternating current. At resonance, the applied voltage
and the current flowing through the circuit will have a phase difference of- [CPMT-1994]
 
(1)  (2) (3) (4) 0
2 4
35. Same current is flowing in two alternating circuits. The first circuit contains only inductance and the
other contains only a capacitor. If the frequency of the e.m.f. is increased, the effect on the value of the
current will be- [MPPET-1993]
(1) increase in first circuit and decrease in the other
(2) increase in both circuits
(3) decrease in both circuits
(4) decrease in first circuit and increase in other

36. Energy dissipates in LCR circuit in :

(1) L only (2) C only (3) R only (4) all of these
 Alternating Current

2.2
37. A coil has an inductance of H and is joined in series with a resistance of 220 . When an

alternating e.m.f. of 220 V at 50 cps is applied to it, then the wattless component of the rms current in
the circuit is
(1) 5 ampere (2) 0.5 ampere (3) 0.7 ampere (4) 7 ampere
38. An electric bulb and a capacitor are connected in series with an AC source. On increasing the
frequency of the source, the brightness of the bulb :
(1) increase (2) decreases
(3) remains unchanged (4) sometimes increases and sometimes decreases
39. By what percentage the impedance in an AC series circuit should be increased so that the power factor
changes from (1/2) to (1/4) (when R is constant) ?
(1) 200% (2) 100% (3) 50% (4) 400%

SECTION (D) : RESONANCE

1. The self inductance of the motor of an electric fan is 10 H. In order to impart maximum power at 50 Hz,
it should be connected to a capacitance of : [AIEEE 2005, 4/300]
(1) 4F (2) 8F (3) 1F (4) 2F
2. In an LCR circuit, capacitance is changed from C to 2C. For the resonant frequency to remain
unchanged, the inductance should be changed from L to : [AIEEE 2004; 4/300]
(1) 4L (2) 2L (3) L/2 (4) L/4
3. In an oscillating LC circuit the maximum charge on the capacitor is Q. The charge on the capacitor
when the energy is stored equally between the electric and magnetic field is : [AIEEE 2003; 4/300]
(1) Q/2 (2) Q/ 3 (3) Q/ 2 (4) Q

4. What is the value of inductance L for which the current is a maximum in a series LCR circuit with
C =10  F and = 1000 radian/s? [AIPMT 2007]
(1) 10 mH (2) 100mH
(3) 1 mH (4) cannot be calculated unless R is Known
5. A transistor – oscillator using a resonant circuit with an inductor L (of negligible resistance) and a
capacitor C in series produce oscillations of frequency f. If L is doubled and C is changed to 4C, then
frequency will be: [AIPMT 2006]
f f f
(1) (2) 8 f (3) (4)
4 2 2 2

6. A 2F capacitor is initially charged to 20 Volts and then shorted across a 8 H inductor. The maximum
value of the current in the circuit is :
(1) 10.0 A (2) 7.5 A (3) 12.0 A (4) 8.2 A

7. For an A.C. circuit at the condition of resonance- [RPET-1996]

(1) impedance = R
 1 
(2) impedance =  L −
 C 
(3) potential difference across L and C in same phase.
(4) The current and emf are having a phase difference .

8. A series A.C. circuit consist of an inductor and a capacitor. The inductance and capacitance is
respectively. 1 henry and 25 µF. If the current is maximum in circuit then angular frequency will be-
[RPMT-1999]
200
(1) 200 (2) 100 (3) 50 (4)
2
9. The value of power factor cos in series LCR circuit at resonance is :
(1) zero (2) 1 (3) 1/2 (4) 1/2 ohm

10. A series LCR circuit containing a resistance of 120 ohm has angular resonance frequency
4 × 103 rad s–1. At resonance, the voltage across resistance and inductance are 60V and
40 V respectively. The values of L and C are respectively :
(1) 20 mH, 25/8 F (2) 2mH, 1/35 F (3) 20 mH, 1/40 F (4) 2mH, 25/8 nF
 Alternating Current

11. In an LCR circuit, the capacitance is made one-fourth, when in resonance. Then what should be the
change in inductance, so that the circuit remains in resonance ?
(1) 4 times (2) 1/4 times (3) 8 times (4) 2 times

12. A resistor R, an inductor L and a capacitor C are connected in series to an oscillator of frequency n. If
the resonant frequency is nr, then the current lags behind voltage, when :
(1) n = 0 (2) n < nr (3) n = rr (4) n > nr

13. A 10 ohm resistance 0.5 mH coil and 10µF capacitor are joined in series when a suitable frequency of
alternating current source is joined to this combination, the circuit resonates. If the resistance is halved
the resonance frequency- [MPPET-1995]
(1) is halved (2) is doubled (3) remains unchanged (4) is quadrupled

14. At a frequency more than the resonance frequency, the nature of an anti-resonant cicuit is-
[RPMT-1996]
(1) resistive (2) capacitive (3) inductive (4) all of the above

15. If resonance frequency is f and then the capacity is increased 4 times, then new resonance frequency
becomes- [RPMT-1996]
f f
(1) (2) 2f (3) f (4)
2 4

SECTION (E) : TRANSFORMER

1. The core of any transformer is laminated so as to : [AIEEE 2003, 4/300]
(1) reduce the energy loss due to eddy currents
(2) make it light weight
(3) make is robust and strong
(4) increase the secondary voltage

2. In a transformer, number of turns in the primary are 140 and that in the secondary are 280. If current in
primary is 4 A, then that in the secondary is :(assume that the transformer is ideal) [AIEEE 2002; 4/300]
(1) 4 A (2) 2 A (3) 6 A (4) 10 A

3. A transformer is used for a 100 watt, 20 volt electric bulb at a place where the A.C. mains potential is
200 volt and the current drawn is 0.6 A. The efficiency of the transformer is nearly
(1) 48% (2) 68% (3) 30 % (4) 83%

4. In a step-up transformer the turns ratio is 10. If the frequency of the current in the primary coil is 50 Hz
then the frequency of the current in the secondary coil will be
(1) 500 Hz (2) 5 Hz (3) 60 Hz (4) 50 Hz

5. A power (step up) transformer with an 1 : 8 turn ratio has 60 Hz, 120 V across the primary; the load in
the secondary is 104 . The current in the secondary is
(1) 96 A (2) 0.96 A (3) 9.6 A (4) 96 mA

6. A transformer is used to light a 140 watt, 24 volt lamp from 240 V AC mains. The current in the main
cable is 0.7 amp. The efficiency of the transformer is :
(1) 48% (2) 63.8% (3) 83.3% (4) 90%
 Alternating Current

7. In a step-up transformer the voltage in the primary is 220 V and the current is 5A. The secondary
voltage is found to be 22000 V. The current in the secondary (neglect losses) is
(1) 5 A (2) 50 A (3) 500 A (4) 0.05 A

8. The core of a transformer is laminated to reduce

(1) eddy current loss (2) hysteresis loss (3) copper loss (4) magnetic loss
Paragraph for Questions 9 and 10
A thermal power plant produces electric power of 600 kW at 4000 V, which is to be transported to a
place 20 km away from the power plant for consumers' usage. It can be transported either directly with
a cable of large current carrying capacity or by using a combination of step-up and step-down
transformers at the two ends. The drawback of the direct transmission is the large energy dissipation. In
the method using transformers, the dissipation is much smaller. In this method, a step-up transformer is
used at the plant side so that the current is reduced to a smaller value. At the consumers' end, a step-
down transformer is used to supply power to the consumers at the specified lower voltage. It is
reasonable to assume that the power cable is purely resistive and the transformers are ideal with a
power factor unity. All the currents and voltages mentioned are rms values.
[JEE(Advanced)-2013; 3/60]]
20 km

Load
power
plant
~ (consumer)

20 km

9. If the direct transmission method with a cable of resistance 0.4  km–1 is used, the power dissipation (in
%) during transmission is :
(1) 20 (2) 30 (3) 40 (4) 60

10. In the method using the transformers, assume that the ratio of the number of turns in the primary to that
in the secondary in the step-up transformer is 1 : 10. If the power to the consumers has to be supplied
at 200V, the ratio of the number of turns in the primary to that in the secondary in the step-down
transformer is :
(1) 200 : 1 (2) 150 : 1 (3) 100 : 1 (4) 50 : 1

LEVEL: 02
1. An ac voltage source V = V0 sin t is connected across resistance R and capacitance C as shown in
1
figure. It is given that R = . The peak current is 0. If the angular frequency of the voltage source is
C

changed to , keeping the voltage amplitude constant, then the new peak current in the circuit is :
3
 Alternating Current

0 0 0 0
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2 2 3 3

2. An AC voltage source of variable angular frequency  and fixed amplitude V connected in series with a
capacitance C and an electric bulb of resistance R (inductance zero). When  is increased :
[JEE 2010; 3/163, –1]
(1) the bulb glows dimmer (2) the bulb glows brighter
(3) total impedence of the circuit is unchanged (4) total impedence of the circuit increases
3. Alternating current cannot be measured by D.C. ammeter because : [AIEEE 2004; 4/300]
(1) A.C. current pass through d.C. ammeter
(2) A.C. change direction
(3) average value of current for complete cycle is zero
(4) D.C. ammeter will get damaged

4. The overall efficiency of a transformer is 90%. The transformer is rated for an output of 9000 watt. The
primary voltage is 1000 volt. The ratio of turns in the primary to the secondary coil is 5 : 1. The iron
losses at full load are 700 watt. The primary coil has a resistance of 1 ohm.

(i) The voltage in secondary coil is :

(1) 1000 volt (2) 5000 volt (3) 200 volt (4) zero volt

(ii) In the above, the current in the primary coil is :

(1) 9 amp (2) 10 amp (3) 1 amp (4) 4.5 amp

(iii) In the above, the copper loss in the primary coil is :

(1) 100 watt (2) 700 watt (3) 200 watt (4) 1000 watt

(iv) In the above, the copper loss in the secondary coil is :

(1) 100 watt (2) 700 watt (3) 200 watt (4) 1000 watt

(v) In the above, the current in the secondary coil is :

(1) 45 amp (2) 46 amp (3) 10 amp (4) 50 amp
(vi) In the above, the resistance of the secondary coil is approximately :
(1) 0.01  (2) 0.1  (3) 0.2  (4) 0.4 

PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS

PART - I : NEET / AIPMT QUESTION (PREVIOUS YEARS )

1. Power dissipated in an LCR series circuit connected to an a.c.source of emf is : [AIPMT 2009]
2  1 
2   1  
2
(1) 2 R / {R +  L − } (2) 2 R / R2 +  L  − 
 C    C  

  1  
2
2 R2 +  L  − 
  1  
2
  C  

(3) 2 / R2 +  L  −  R (4)
  C   R

2. The r.m.s. value of potential difference V shown in the figure is : [AIPMT (MAINS) 2011]

(1) V0 (2) V0/ 2 (3) V0 /2 (4) V0 / 3

 Alternating Current

3. A coil has resistance 30 ohm and inductive reactance 20 Ohm at 50 Hz frequency. If an ac source, of
200 volt, 100 Hz, is connected across the coil, the current in the coil will be : [AIPMT (MAINS) 2011]
20
(1) 4.0 A (2) 8.0 A (3) A (4) 2.0 A
13
4. In an electrical circuit R,L, C and an a.c. voltage source are all connected in series. When L is removed
from the circuit, the phase difference between the voltage the current in the circuit is /3. If instead, C is
removed from the circuit, the phase difference is again /3. The power factor of the circuit is :
[AIPMT_(Pre)_2012]
(1) 1/2 (2) 1/ 2 (3) 1 (4) 3 / 2

5. The instantaneous values of alternating current and voltages in a circuit are given as
1
i= sin(100 t)amper [AIPMT 2012 (Mains)]
2
1
e= sin(100 t +  / 3) Volt
2
The average power in Watts consumed in the circuit is :
1 3 1 1
(1) (2) (3) (4)
4 4 2 8

6. A coil of self-inductance L is connected in series with a bulb B and an AC source. Brightness of the bulb
decreases when : [NEET-2013]
(1) number of turns in the coil is reduced.
(2) a capacitance of reactance XC = XL is included in the same circuit
(3) an iron rod is inserted in the coil
(4) frequency of the AC source is decreased

7. A resistance 'R' draws power 'P' when connected to an AC source. If an inductance is now placed in
series with the resistance, such that the impedance of the circuit becomes 'Z', the power drawn will be:
[AIPMT-2015]
2
R R R
(1) P (2) P   (3) P (4) P  
Z Z Z

8. An inductor 20 mH, a capacitor 50 F and a resistor. 40 are connected in series across a source of
emf V = 10 sin 340t. The power loss in A.C. circuit is [AIPMT-2016]
(1) 0.89 W (2) 0.51 W (3) 0.67W (4) 0.76W

9. A small signal voltage V(t) = V0 sint is applied across an ideal capacitor C :

(1) Current (t), leads voltage V(t) by 180°
(2) Current (t), lags voltage V(t) by 90°
(3) Over a full cycle the capacitor C does not consume any energy from the voltage source.
(4) Current (t) is in phase with voltage V(t) [AIPMT-2016]

10. Which of the following combinations should be selected for better tuning of an L-C-R circuit used for
communication? [NEET-2016]
(1) R = 25 , L = 1.5 H, C = 45 F (2) R = 20 , L = 1.5 H, C = 35 F
(3) R = 25 , L = 2.5 H, C = 45 F (4) R = 15 , L = 3.5 H, C = 30 F

11. The potential differences across the resistance, capacitance and inductance are 80 V, 40 V and 100 V
respectively in an L-C-R circuit. The power factor of this circuit is [NEET-2016]
(1) 1.0 (2) 0.4 (3) 0.5 (4) 0.8

12. A 100  resistance and a capacitor of 100  reactance are connected in series across a 220 V source.
When the capacitor is 50% charged, the peak value of the displacement current is [NEET-2016]
(1) 11 2A (2) 2.2 A (3) 11 A (4) 4.4 A
13. A inductor 20 mH a capacitor 100 F and a resistor 50  are connected in series across a source of
emf, V = 10 sin 314 t. The power loss in the circuit is : [NEET-2018]
(1) 0.79 W (2) 1.13 W (3) 2.74 W (4) 0.43 W
 Alternating Current

14. A circuit when connected to an AC source of 12 V gives a current of 0.2A. The same circuit when
connected to a DC source of 12 V, gives a current of 0.4 A. The circuit is : [NEET-2019-II]
(1) series LR (2) series RC (3) series LC (4) series LCR

PART - II : JEE (MAIN) / AIEEE PROBLEMS (PREVIOUS YEARS)

1. In a series LCR circuit R = 200  and the voltage and the frequency of the main supply is 220 V and 50
Hz respectively. On taking out the capacitance from the circuit the current lags behind the voltage by
30º. On taking out the inductor from the circuit the current leads the voltage by 30º. The power
dissipated in the LCR circuit is [AIEEE 2010; 4/144, –1]
(1) 305 W (2) 210 W (3) Zero W (4) 242 W

2. An arc lamp requires a direct current of 10 A at 80 V to function. if it is connected to a 220 V(rms), 50

Hz AC supply, the series inductor needed for it to work is close to : [JEE Main 2016; 4/120, –1]
(1) 0.08 H (2) 0.044 H (3) 0.065 H (4) 80 H

1
3. For an RLC circuit driven with voltage of amplitude m and frequency 0 = the current exhibits
LC
resonance. The quality factor, Q is given by : [JEE-Main-2018]
R CR 0L 0R
(1) (2) (3) (4)
(0C) 0 R L

4. In an a.c circuit, the instantaneous e.m.f and current are given by

e = 100 sin 30t
 
i = 20 sin  30 t – 
 4 
In one cycle of a.c the average power consumed by the circuit and the wattless current are,
respectively: [JEE-Main-2018]
50 1000
(1) ,0 (2) 50,0 (3) 50,10 (4) ,10
2 2

5. A power transmission line feeds input power at 2300 V to a step down transformer with its primary
windings having 4000 turns. The output power is delivered at 230 V by the transformer. If the current in
the primary of the transformer is 5A and its efficiency is 90%, the output current would be :
[JEE-Main-2019]
(1) 45 A (2) 25 A (3) 35 A (4) 50 A

6. A series AC circuit containing an inductor (20 mH), a capacitor (120 F) and a resistor (60) is driven
24 V
by an AC source of . The energy dissipated in the circuit in 60 s is : [JEE-Main-2019]
50 Hz
(1) 3.39 × 103 J (2) 5.65 × 102 J (3) 5.17 × 102 J (4) 2.26 × 103 J

7. In the circuit shown the switch S1 is closed at time t = 0 and the switch S2 is kept open. At some later
time (t0), the switch S1 is opened and S2 is closed. The behavior of the current I as a function of time 't'
given by : [JEE-Main-2019]
 Alternating Current

(1) (2)

(3) (4)

3 3
8. In the above circuit C = m F, R 2 = 20 L = H and R1 = 10. Current in L-R1 path is 1 and in C-
2 10
R2 path it is 2. The voltage of A.C. source is given by V = 200 2 sin(100t) volts, the phase difference
between 1 and 2 is : [JEE-Main-2019]

(1) 60º (2) 0º (3) 30º (4) 90º

 Alternating Current

LEVEL - 1
SECTION (A)
1. (2) 2. (1) 3. (3) 4. (4) 5. (1) 6. (3) 7. (2)
8. (4) 9. (3) 10. (2) 11. (2) 12. (2) 13. (4) 14. (4)
15. (3) 16. (4) 17. (4) 18. (2) 19. (3) 20. (2) 21. (4)
SECTION (B)
1. (1) 2. (4) 3. (1) 4. (1) 5. (2) 6. (1) 7. (3)
8. (1) 9. (2) 10. (2) 11. (1) 12. (3) 13. (2) 14. (3)
15. (4) 16. (2) 17. (3) 18. (2) 19. (3) 20. (1) 21. (4)
22. (2) 23. (2)
SECTION (C)
1. (1) 2. (2) 3. (1) 4. (3) 5. (2) 6. (2) 7. (1)
8. (3) 9. (1) 10. (3) 11. (3) 12. (1) 13. (2) 14. (2)
15. (3) 16. (1) 17. (4) 18. (1) 19. (2) 20. (2) 21. (4)
22. (2) 23. (2) 24. (1) 25. (4) 26. (2) 27. (3) 28. (4)
29. (3) 30. (2) 31. (2) 32. (2) 33. (3) 34. (4) 35. (4)
36. (3) 37. (2) 38. (1) 39. (2)
SECTION (D)
1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (3) 4. (2) 5. (3) 6. (1) 7. (1)
8. (1) 9. (2) 10. (1) 11. (1) 12. (4) 13. (3) 14. (3)
15. (1)
SECTION (E)
1. (1) 2. (2) 3. (4) 4. (4) 5. (4) 6. (3) 7. (4)
8. (1) 9. (4) 10. (1)

LEVEL - 2
1. (2) 2. (2) 3. (3) 4. (i) (3) (ii) (2) (iii) (1) (iv) (3) (v) (2) (vi) (2)

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

PART – I
1. (2) 2. (2) 3. (1) 4. (3) 5. (4) 6. (3) 7. (4)
8. (2) 9. (3) 10. (4) 11. (4) 12. (2) 13. (1) 14. (1)

PART – II
1. (4) 2. (3) 3. (3) 4. (4) 5. (1)
6. (3)

7. (Bonus) , the correct graph will be

8. (4)