8 - JEE - Physics - Alternating Current - RL, RC, LC Circuits

Series R-L Circuit:
Majority of coils that you see in the real world, whether they are solenoids, relays or any
other similar component always exhibit certain amount of resistance because the copper
wire has a resistive value. In such a case, the simple coil can then be considered as an
Inductance in series with a resistance. This may be termed as the RL Series Circuit.
We have shown the RL Circuit in the figure given below. The circuit basically consists of an
inductor of inductance L connected in series with a resistor of resistance R. This ‘R’ is the
DC resistive value of the loops that is utilized in the preparation of the coil of the inductor.
As it is visible form the figure above, the circuit is attached to a battery and switch. The
switch ‘S’ is assumed to be open till it is closed at time t = 0. It will then remain constantly
closed thus producing a "step response" type voltage input. The current ‘i’ though flows
through the circuit, but will not rise to its maximum value of Imax.
This restriction is basically due to the existence of the self-induced emf inside the inductor
due to the growth of magnetic flux. After some time, the influence of the self- induced emf
is nullified by the voltage source. The flow of current then becomes constant and the
induced current and field are reduced to zero.
Series R-C Circuit:

Potential difference across a capacitor in ac lags in phase by 90° with the current in the
circuit. Suppose, in phasor diagram current is taken along positive x-direction. Then VR is
also along positive x-direction but VC is along negative y-direction. So we can write
V = VR – jVC = iR – j(iXC)
= iR – j (1/ωC)
= iZ
Here, impedence is given by
Z = R – j (1/ωC)
The modulus of impedance is,
| Z | =√R2+ (1/ωC)2
Also, the potential difference lags the current by an angle,
Φ = tan-1 | VC/VR| = tan-1 Xc /R = tan-1{(1/ωc)/ R}
Hence, Φ = tan -1(1/ωCR).
Let us now discuss the R-C circuit in detail:
The figure below shows a capacitor, (C) in series with a resistor, (R) forming a RC Charging
Circuit connected across a DC battery supply via a mechanical switch. Once the switch is
closed, with the help of the resistor, the capacitor gradually gets charged till the voltage
across it reaches the supply voltage of the battery. The whole process of the charging of
capacitor is depicted below.
Suppose that the capacitor (C) is fully discharged and the switch (S) is fully open. These are
the initial conditions of the circuit when t =0, i=0 and q=0. The time commences when
t=0 and it is then that the current begins to flow into the capacitor through the resistor.
But the initial voltage (VC =0) of the capacitor is zero which forces the capacitor to appear
as a short circuit and the maximum flow of current through the circuit is restricted by the
resistor R. The current not flowing around the circuit is called the Charging Current and is
calculated with the help of Ohms law.
Remarks:
 Impedance: The total measure of opposition to electric current is called as impedance. It
is in fact the vector sum of real resistance and imaginary resistance.
 Impedance is denoted by Z and is managed just like resistances R in series circuits.
 ZTotal = Z1 + Z2 + . . . Zn, so the series impedances add to form the total impedance. All
the calculations involved in this should be performed in complex form and not in scalar
form.
 When resistors and capacitors are mixed together in circuits, the total impedance will
have a phase angle somewhere between 0o and -90o.
 The fundamental properties of Series AC circuits and series Dc circuits are the same.
Current is uniform throughout the circuit, voltage drops add to form the total voltage,
and impedances add to form the total impedance.
Series LC Circuit:
(1) Applied voltage :
V=VL−VC
(2) Impedance :
Z=XL−XC=X
(3) Current :
i=i0sin(ωt±π2)
(4) Peak current :
i0=V0Z=V0XL−XC
=V0ωL−1ωC
(5) Phase difference :
ϕ=90o
(6) Power factor :
cosφ=0
(7) Leading quantity : Either voltage or current
Circuit Elements with AC:

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Series R-L Circuit:

Series R-C Circuit:

(4) Peak current :

(5) Phase difference :

(6) Power factor :

(7) Leading quantity : Either voltage or current

Circuit Elements with AC:

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