SHANTHINIKETAN PUBLIC SCHOOL

Udaipur

ALTERNATING CURRENT
Class 12 - Physics
Time Allowed: 2 hours Maximum Marks: 223

Section A
1. A capacitor of unknown capacitance, a resistance of 100Ω and an inductor of self-inductance L(= 4
2
) henry are [2]
π

connected in series across an a.c. source of 200V and 50 Hz. Calculate the value of the capacitance and the
current that flows in the circuit when the current is in phase with the voltage.
2. In a series LCR-circuit, the resonant frequency is 800 Hz. The half power points are obtained at frequencies 745 [2]
and 855 Hz. Calculate the Q-factor of the circuit. Also, calculate the bandwidth.
3. A bulb of resistance 10 Ω , connected to an inductor of inductance L, is in series with an a.c. source marked 100 [2]
V, 50 Hz. If the phase angle between the voltage and current is radian, calculate the value of L.
π

4. A 100Ω resistor is connected to a 220 V, 50 Hz ac supply. [2]

a. What is the rms value of current in the circuit?
b. What is the net power consumed over a full cycle?
5. A 60 W load is connected to the secondary of a transformer whose primary draws line voltage. If a current of [2]
0.54 A flows in the load, what is the current in primary coil? Comment on the type of transformer being used.
6. A coil of self-inductance has inductive reactance of 88 Ω . Calculate the self-inductance of the coil if the [2]
frequency is 50 Hz.
7. In the circuit shown in Figure the potential difference across the inductor L and resistor R are 120 V and 90 V [2]
respectively and the rms value of current is 3 A Calculate
i. the impedance of the circuit and
ii. the phase angle between the voltage and current.

8. An inductor of unknown value, a capacitor of 100 μ F and a resistor of 10 Ω are connected in series to a 200 V, [2]
50 Hz a.c. source. It is found that the power factor of the circuit is unity. Calculate the inductance of the inductor
and the current amplitude.
9. The figure shows a series L-C-R circuit connected to a variable frequency 220 V source with L = 80 mH, C = 40 [2]
µF and R=60Ω .
Determine
i. the source frequency which derives the circuit in resonance.

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 ii. the quality factor Q of the circuit.

10. A series L-C-R circuit is connected to a 220 V variable frequency AC supply. If [2]
2
L = 20mH, C = (800/π ) μF and R = 110Ω ,
i. find the frequency of the source for which average power absorbed by the circuit is maximum.
ii. calculate the value of maximum current amplitude.
11. An electric lamp having coil of negligible inductance connected in series with a capacitor and an AC source is [2]
glowing with certain brightness. How does the brightness of the lamp change on reducing the
i. capacitance, and
ii. the frequency? Justify your answer.
12. Calculate the current drawn by the primary of a transformer, which steps down 200 V to 20 V to operate a [2]
device of resistance 20 Ω . Assume the efficiency of the transformer to be 80%
13. An inductor of inductance 200 mH is connected to an a.c. source of peak emf 210 V and frequency 50 Hz. [2]
Calculate the peak current. What is the instantaneous voltage of the source when the current is at its peak value?
14. i. Out of the arrangements, given below for winding of primary and secondary coils in a transformer, which [2]
arrangement do you think will have higher efficiency and why?
ii. Show that in an ideal transformer, when the voltage is stepped up by a certain factor, the current gets stepped
down by the same factor.
iii. State any two causes of energy loss in a transformer.

15. Figure shows how the reactance of an inductor varies with frequency. [2]

i. Calculate the value of the inductance of the inductor using the information given in the graph.
ii. If this inductor is connected in series to a resistor of 8 ohm. What would be the impedance at 300 Hz?
16. A reactive element in an AC circuit causes the current flowing [2]
i. to lead in phase by π/2 w.r.t. the applied voltage.
ii. to lag in phase by π/2 w.r.t. the applied voltage.
Identify the element in each case.

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17. An alternating voltage given by [2]
V = 280 sin 100πt is connected across a pure resistor of 40Ω , Find
i. the frequency of the source.
ii. the rms current through the resistor.
18. A 15.0 μF capacitor is connected to a 220 V, 50 Hz source. Find the capacitive reactance and the current (rms [2]
and peak) in the circuit. If the frequency is doubled, what happens to the capacitive reactance and the current?
19. 11 kilowatts of power can be transmitted in two ways: [2]
i. 220 volts at 50 amperes and 22,000 volts at 0.5 ampere.
ii. Which is economical? Give reasons for your choice.
20. A resistor of 200 Ω and a capacitor of 15.0 μF are connected in series to a 220 V, 50 Hz ac source. [2]
a. Calculate the current in the circuit;
b. Calculate the voltage (rms) across the resistor and the capacitor. Is the algebraic sum of these voltages more
than the source voltage? If yes, resolve the paradox.
21. Explain the significance of the time constant of the RC circuit? [2]
22. a. The peak voltage of an ac supply is 300 V. What is the rms voltage? [2]
b. The rms value of current in an ac circuit is 10 A. What is the peak current?
23. A capacitor of 1 pF is connected to an a.c. source of emf ε = 250 sin 100 π t. Write an equation for instantaneous [2]
current through the circuit and give reading of a.c. ammeter connected in the circuit.
24. A light bulb is rated at 100W for a 220 V supply. Find [2]
a. the resistance of the bulb;
b. the peak voltage of the source; and
c. the rms current through the bulb.
25. A coil with an air core and an electric bulb are connected in series across a 200 V, 50Hz ac source. The bulb [2]
glows with some brightness. How will the glow of the bulb be affected on introducing a capacitor in series with
the circuit? Justify your answer.
26. What will be the readings in the voltmeter and ammeter of the circuit shown in figure? [2]

Section B
27. The figure shows a series L-C-R circuit with L = 10 H, C = 40µF, R = 60 ohms connected to a variable [3]
frequency 240 V source. Calculate

i. the angular frequency of the source which derives the circuit at resonance.
ii. the current at the resonating frequency.
iii. the rms potential drop across the inductor at resonance.
28. A device X is connected to an a.c source. The variation of voltage, current and power in one complete cycle is [3]

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 shown in Figure.

a. Which curve shows power consumption over a full cycle?

b. What is the average power consumption over a cycle?
c. Identify the device X.
29. An inductor L of inductance XL is connected in series with a bulb B and an AC source. How would brightness [3]

of the bulb change when

i. number of turn in the inductor is reduced,
ii. an iron rod is inserted in the inductor and
iii. a capacitor of reactance Xc = XL is inserted in series in the circuit. Justify your answer in each case.

30. If the effective value of current is 50 Hz a.c. The circuit is 5.0 A, what is [3]
i. the peak value of current
ii. the mean value of current over half cycle and
iii. the value of current 1

300
s after it was zero?

31. i. The primary of a transformer has 400 turns while the secondary has 2000 turns. If the power output from the [3]
secondary at 1100 V is 12.1 kW, calculate the primary voltage.
ii. If the resistance of the primary is 0.2 Ω and that of the secondary is 2.0 Ω and the efficiency of the
transformer is 90 %, calculate the heat losses in the primary and the secondary coils.
32. An inductor 200μH , capacitor 500μF , resistor 10Ω are connected in series with a 100 V, variable frequency [3]
a.c. source.
Calculate:
i. frequency at which the power factor of the circuit is unity
ii. current amplitude at this frequency
iii. Q-factor
–
33. If the voltage in a.c. circuit is represented by the equation, V = 220√2 sin(314 t − ϕ) [3]
Calculate:
a. peak and rms value of the voltage
b. average voltage,
c. frequency of a.c.
34. Mention various energy losses in a transformer. [3]
35. Show graphically the variation of instantaneous power P with angle cot when the alternating voltage V = V0 sin [3]

ω t is applied across
i. a pure resistor
ii. a pure inductor and
iii. a pure capacitor.
36. An AC voltage V = V0 sin ωt is applied across a pure inductor L. Obtain an expression for the current I in the [3]

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 circuit and hence obtain the
i. inductive reactance of the circuit and
ii. the phase of the current flowing with respect to the applied voltage.
37. The a.c. circuit shown in Fig., has a choke L and a resistance R. The potential difference across the resistance R [3]
is VR = 160 V and that across the choke is VL = 120 V. Find the virtual value of the applied voltage. If the
virtual current in the circuit be 1.0 A, then calculate the total impedance of circuit. If the direct current be passed
in the circuit, then what will be the potential difference in the circuit?

38. A resistance of 40 Ω is connected to an a.c. source of 220 V, 50 Hz. Find [3]

i. the rms current
ii. the maximum instantaneous current in the resistor and
iii. the time taken by the current to change from its maximum value to the rms value.
39. In a series L-C-R circuit connected to an AC source of variable frequency and voltage V = Vm sin ωt, draw a [3]

plot showing the variation of current (I) with angular frequency (ω) for two different values of resistance, R1 and
R2 (R1 > R2). Write the condition under which the phenomenon of resonance occurs. For which value of the

resistance out of the two curves, a sharper resonance is produced? Define Q-factor of the circuit and give its
significance.
40. A step-up down transformer operated on a 2.5 kV line. It supplies a load with 20 A. The ratio of the primary [3]
winding to the secondary is 10 : 1. If the transformer is 90% efficient, calculate
i. the power output
ii. the voltage and
iii. the current in the secondary coil.
41. Derive an expression for the impedance of an a.c. circuit consisting of an inductor and a resistor. [3]
42. i. What is the principle of the transformer? [3]
ii. Explain how laminating the core a transformer helps to reduce eddy current losses in it?
iii. Why the primary and secondary coils of a transformer are preferably wound on the same core?
43. Derive an expression for the average power consumed in a series LCR circuit connected to a.c. source in which [3]
phase difference between the voltage and the current in the circuit is ϕ .
44. i. Find the value of the phase difference between the current and the voltage in the series L-C-R circuit shown [3]
below. Which one leads in phase: current or voltage?

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 ii. Without making any other change, find the value of the additional capacitor C', to be connected in parallel
with the capacitor C, in order to make the power factor of the circuit unity.
45. An AC voltage, V = V0 sin ωt is applied across a pure capacitor, C. Obtain an expression for the current I in the [3]

circuit and hence obtain the

i. capacitive reactance of the circuit and
ii. the phase of the current flowing with respect to the applied voltage.
46. An a.c. voltage E = E0 sin ωt is applied across an inductor L. Obtain an expression for current I. [3]
−−− −−−
47. An electrical device draws 2kW power from AC mains (voltage 223V (rms) = √50, 000 V ). The current differs [3]
(lags) in phase by ϕ (tan ϕ = as compared to voltage. Find
−3
)
4

a. R
b. XC - XL, and
c. IM. Another device has twice the values for R, XC and XL. How are the answers affected?

Section C
Question No. 48 to 51 are based on the given text. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: [4]
The power averaged over one full cycle of a.c. is known as average power. It is also known as true power.
V0 I0
Pav = Vrms Irmscos ϕ = 2
cos ϕ

Root mean square or simply rms watts refer to continuous power. A circuit containing a 80 mH inductor and a 60 μ F
capacitor in series is connected to a 230 V, 50 Hz supply. The resistance of the circuit is negligible.

48. What will be the value of the current amplitude?

49. What will be the rms value of current?
50. What will be the average power transferred to the inductor?
51. What will be the average power transferred to the capacitor?
Question No. 52 to 55 are based on the given text. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: [4]
When a pure resistance R, pure inductor L and an ideal capacitor of capacitance C is connected in series to a source of
alternating e.m.f., then current at any instant through the three elements has the same amplitude and is represented as I
= I0 sin ωt. However, voltage across each element has a different phase relationship with the current as shown in the

graph.
The effective resistance of RLC circuit is called the impedance (Z) of the circuit and the voltage leads the current by a
phase angle ϕ .

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A resistor of 12 Ω , a capacitor of reactance 14 Ω and a pure inductor of inductance 0.1 H are joined in series and placed
across 200 V, 50 Hz a.c. supply.

52. What will be the value of inductive reactance?

53. What will be the value of impedance?
54. What is the value of current in the circuit?
55. What is the value of the phase angle between current and voltage?
Section D
56. An ac voltage V = V0sin ωt is applied to a pure inductor L. Obtain an expression for the current in the circuit. [5]
Prove that the average power supplied to an inductor over one complete cycle is zero.
57. i. Derive an expression for the average power consumed in a series L-C-R circuit connected to AC source for [5]
which the phase difference between the voltage and the current in the circuit is ϕ .
ii. Define the quality factor in an AC circuit. Why should the quality factor have high value in receiving
circuits? Name the factors on which it depends.

58. i. What do you understand by the sharpness of resonance in a series L-C-R circuit? Derive an expression for Q- [5]
factor of the circuit.
ii. Three electrical circuits having AC sources of variable frequency are shown in the figures. Initially, the
current flowing in each of these is same. If the frequency of the applied AC source is increased, how will the
current flowing in these circuits be affected? Give the reason for your answer.

59. i. When an AC source is connected to an ideal capacitor, then show that the average power supplied by the [5]
source over a complete cycle is zero.
ii. A lamp is connected in series with a capacitor. Predict your observations when the system is connected first
across a DC and then an AC source. What happens in each case if the capacitance of the capacitor is
reduced?

60. i. Write the function of a transformer. State its principle of working with the help of a diagram. Mention [5]
various energy losses in this device.
ii. The primary coil of an ideal step-up transformer has 100 turns and transformation ratio is also 100. The input
voltage and power are respectively 220 V and 1100 W. Calculate
a. number of turns in secondary
b. current in primary
c. voltage across secondary

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 d. current in secondary
e. power in secondary

61. a. Draw graphs showing the variations of inductive reactance and capacitive reactance with the frequency of [5]
the applied ac source.
b. Draw the phasor diagram for a series RC circuit connected to an ac source.
c. An alternating voltage of 220 V is applied across a device X, a current of 0.25 A flows, which lag behind the
applied voltage in phase by radian. If the same voltage is applied across another device Y, the same current
π

flows but now it is in phase with the applied voltage.

i. Name the devices X and Y.
ii. Calculate the current flowing in the circuit when the same voltage is applied across the series
combination of X and Y.

62. i. An ac source of voltage V = V0sin ωt is connected to a series combination of L, C, and R. Use the phasor [5]

diagram to obtain expressions for impedance of the circuit and phase angle between voltage and current.
Find the condition when the current will be in phase with the voltage. What is the circuit in this condition
called?
ii. In a series, LR circuit XL = R and power factor of the circuit is P1. When capacitor with capacitance C such
P1
that XL = XC is put in series, the power factor becomes P2. Calculate .
P2

63. In an ac circuit, is then applied instantaneous voltage equal to the algebraic sum of the instantaneous voltages [5]
across the series elements of the circuit? Is the same true for rms voltage?
64. An AC source of voltage V = V0 sin ωt is connected to a series combination of L, C and R. Use the phasor [5]
diagram to obtain expressions for the impedance of the circuit and phase angle between voltage and current.
Find the condition when current will be in phase with the voltage. What is the circuit in the condition called?
65. A device X is connected to an AC source, V = V0 sin ωt. The variation of voltage, current and power in one [5]

cycle is shown in the following graph.

i. Identify the device X.

ii. Which of the curves A, B and C represent the voltage, current and the power consumed in the circuit? Justify
the answer.
iii. How does its impedance vary with the frequency of the AC source? Show graphically.
iv. Obtain an expression for the current in the circuit and its phase relation with AC voltage.
66. A series L-C-R circuit is connected to an AC source. Using the phasor diagram, derive the expression for the [5]
impedance of the circuit. Plot a graph to show the variation of current with frequency of the source, explaining
the nature of its variation.
67. i. The figure shows the variation of resistance and reactance versus angular frequency. Identify the curve which [5]
corresponds to inductive reactance and resistance.

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 ii. Show that series LCR circuit at resonance behaves as a purely resistive circuit. Compare the phase relation
between current and voltage in series LCR circuit for (i) XL > XC, (ii) XL = XC using phasor diagrams.
iii. What is an acceptor circuit and where it is used?
68. A small town with a demand of 800 kW of electric power at 220 V is situated 15 km away from an electric plant [5]
generating power at 440 V. The resistance of the two wirelines carrying power is 0.5 Ω per km. The town gets
power from the line through a 4000 - 220 V step-down transformer at a sub-station in the town.
a. Estimate the line power loss in the form of heat.
b. How much power must the plant supply, assuming there is negligible power loss due to leakage?
c. Characterize the step-up transformer at the plant.

69. i. A series L-C-R circuit is connected to an AC source of variable frequency. Draw a suitable phasor diagram [5]
to deduce the expressions for the amplitude of the current and phase angle.
ii. Obtain the condition at resonance. Draw a plot showing the variation of current with the frequency of AC
source for two resistances R1 and R2 (R1 > R2). Hence, define the quality factor Q and write its role in the
tuning of the circuit.

70. i. Prove that current flowing through an ideal inductor connected across ac source lags the voltage in phase by [5]
.
π

ii. An inductor of self-inductance 100 mH, and a bulb are connected in series with ac source of rms voltage 10
V, 50 Hz. It is found that the effective voltage of the circuit leads the current in phase by . Calculate the
π

inductance of the inductor used and average power dissipated in the circuit if a current of 1 A flows in the
circuit.
71. Consider the LCR circuit shown in Figure. Find the net current i and the phase of i. Show that i = . Find the [5]
v

impedance Z for this circuit.

72. i. Determine the value of phase difference between the current and the voltage in the given series L-C-R [5]
circuit.

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 ii. Calculate the value of additional capacitor which may be joined suitably to the capacitor C that would make
the power factor of the circuit unity.
73. A series LCR circuit is connected to an a.c. source having voltage V = Vm sin ωt. Derive the expression for the [5]
instantaneous current I and its phase relationship to the applied voltage. Obtain the condition for resonance to
occur. Define power factor. State the conditions under which it is
i. maximum and
ii. minimum.
74. A series LCR circuit with L = 0.12 H, C = 480 nF, R = 23 Ω is connected to a 230 V variable frequency supply. [5]
a. What is the source frequency for which the 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?

75. i. An ac source generating a voltage V = V0 sin ωt is connected to a capacitor of capacitance C. Find the [5]

expression of the current I flowing through it. Plot a graph of V and I versus ωt to show that the current is
π

ahead of the voltage.

ii. A resistor of 200 Ω and a capacitor of 15 μ F are connected in series to a 220 V, 50 Hz ac source. Calculate
the current in the circuit and the rms voltage across the resistor and the capacitor. Why the algebraic sum of
these voltages is more than the source voltage?

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