NOBLE PUBLIC SCHOOL

(SESSION: 2024-2025)

PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
(AC GENERATOR)

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Noushad V Ehsaaan Sameer
Class: XII~Sci
Roll No: 6
Certificate

This is to certify that

Ehsaan Sameer
has successfully completed his Physics project titled
AC GENERATOR
under the supervision and guidance of
Noushad V
in the partial fulfillment of the Physics
practical
assessment conducted during the
academic year
2024-2025

EXAMINER TEACHER
Acknowledgment

I have taken efforts in this project. However, it

would not have been possible without the kind
support and help of many individuals.
I would like to thank my principal and school for
providing me with facilities required to do my
project.
I am highly indebted to my physics teacher, for his
invaluable guidance which has sustained my
efforts in all the stages of this project.
I would also like to thank my parents for their
continuous support and encouragement.
My thanks and appreciations also go to my fellow
classmates in developing the project and to the
people who have willingly helped me out with
their abilities.
Index

1. Topic
2. Introduction
3. AC Generator
4. Principle of AC generator
5. Parts and Functions of an AC generator
6. Working of an AC generator
7. Expression for Instantaneous EMF Production
8. Pros and Cons of an AC generator
9. Bibliography
Topic

AC Generator Investigatory Project

Introduction

• Electricity is produced in power stations using

turbines and generators. A turbine converts
available energy into rotation while electric
generators convert rotation into electricity.
• Based on the electric output of the generators,
they are classified into two types AC generators
and DC generators
AC Generator

• AC generator is a machine that converts

mechanical energy into electrical energy. The
AC generators input supply is mechanical
energy supplied by steam turbines, gas turbines
and combustion engines. The output is
alternating electrical power in the form of
alternating voltage and current
Principle of AC Generator

• It is based on the principle of electromagnetic

induction. Whenever amount of magnetic flux
linked with a coil changes, an EMF is induced in
the coil. The direction of current induced is
given by Fleming’s right hand rule.
• AC generators work on the principal of
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction,
which states that electromotive force (EMF) or
voltage is generated in current carrying
conductor that cuts a uniform magnetic field.
This can either be achieved by rotating a
conducting coil in a static magnetic field or
rotating the magnetic field containing the
stationary conductor. The preferred
arrangement is to keep the coil stationary
because it is easier to draw induced alternating
current from a stationary armature coil than
from a rotating coil.
• The generated EMF depends on the number of
armature coil turns, magnetic field strength, and
the speed of the rotating field.
Parts and Functions of an AC
Generator

The various parts of an AC generator are:-

• Field
• Armature
• Prime mover
• Rotor
• Stator
• Slip rings
• The following are the functions of each of these
components of an AC generator.
• Field
The field consists of coils of conductors that receive a
voltage from the source and produce magnetic flux.
The magnetic flux in the field cuts the armature to
produce a voltage of the AC generator.
• Armature
The part of an AC generator in which the voltage is
produced is known as an armature.This component
primarily consists of coils wire that are large enough
to carry the full load current of the generator.
• Prime Mover
The component used to drive the AC generator is
known as a prime mover. The prime mover could
either be a diesel engine, a steam turbine, or a motor.
• Rotor
The rotating component of the generator is known as a
rotor. The generator’s prime mover drives the rotor.
• Stator
The stator is the stationary part of an AC generator.
The stator core comprises a lamination of steel alloys
or magnetic iron to minimize the eddy current losses.
• Slip Rings
Slip rings are electrical connections used to transfer
power to and from the rotor of an AC generator. They
are typically designed to conduct the flow of current
from a stationary device to a rotating one.
Working of an AC Generator

• When the armature rotates between the poles of

the magnet upon an axis perpendicular to the
magnetic field, the flux linkage of the armature
changes continuously. As a result, an electric
current flows through the galvanometer and the
slip rings and brushes. The galvanometer swings
between positive and negative values. This
indicates that there is an alternating current
flowing through the galvanometer. The direction
of the induced current can be identified using
Fleming’s Right-Hand Rule
Expression for Instantaneous
EMF Production
1. Understanding the Magnetic Flux Through
the Coil
• Consider a rectangular coil with N turns, each of area
A, rotating in a uniform magnetic field B with an
angular velocity ω.
• Let θ be the angle between the magnetic field B and
the normal (perpendicular) to the plane of the coil.
• The magnetic flux Φ through the coil at any time t is
given by:
Φ=BA cos(θ)

2. Expressing the Angle θ in Terms of Time

• Since the coil is rotating with angular velocity ω, the
angle θ changes over time as:
θ=ωt
• Therefore, we can rewrite the magnetic flux as:
Φ=BA cos(ωt)
3. Using Faraday’s Law of Induction
According to Faraday’s Law, the induced EMF ε in a
coil is equal to the negative rate of change of magnetic
flux through the coil:
ε=−N dΦ∕dt
4. Calculating the Rate of Change of Magnetic Flux
• Substitute Φ=BA cos(ωt) into Faraday's Law:
ε=−N d(BA cos(ωt)) ∕ dt
• Since B and A are constants, we can simplify:
ε=−NBA d (cos(ωt)) ∕ dt
• The derivative of cos(ωt)with respect to t is
−ωsin(ωt)
ε=−NBA (−ωsin(ωt))
• Simplifying, we obtain:
ε=NBA ωsin(ωt)
5. Defining Maximum EMF
• The peak (maximum) EMF, denoted as ε0, occurs
when sin(ωt)=1.Thus:
ε0=NBAω
• Therefore, the instantaneous EMF can be expressed
as:
ε=ε0sin(ωt)
Final Expression
• The instantaneous EMF ε generated in the AC
generator as the coil rotates in a magnetic field is:
ε=ε0sin(ωt)
• where:
• ε0=NBAω is the maximum EMF,
• ω is the angular velocity of rotation,
• t is the time.
This equation describes a sinusoidal alternating EMF,
characteristic of an AC generator.
Pros and Cons of an AC
Generators

Pros:
• AC generators can be easily stepped up down
through transformers.
• The transmission link size in AC generators is
thinner because of the step up feature.
• Losses in AC generators are relatively less.
• The size of AC generators is smaller which makes it
convenient.
• Aircraft auxiliary power generation, wind generators,
high speed gas turbine generators.
• Hybrid electric vechicle drive system, automotive
starter generations.
• An AC generators or alternator is used to produce
AC voltages for transmission via the grid system or
locally, as portable generators.
• All of our household appliances run on ac current.
Cons:
• AC can incur greater energy losses over long
distances compared to DC, especially without high-
voltage transmission.
• Moving parts like brushes and slip rings require
regular maintenance and can wear out quickly.
• Maintaining consistent voltage in AC systems is
more complex, affecting stability under varying
loads.
• AC generators are generally less efficient for low-
power, small-scale applications.
• They can produce EMI that disrupts nearby
electronic devices, necessitating additional
filtering.
• AC systems can be bulkier and heavier due to the
need for transformers and other components.
• Load variations can lead to harmonic distortions,
impacting sensitive electronic equipment.
• The alternating current poses higher risks of
electric shock and requires careful safety measures.
Bibliography

• https://en.Wikipedia.org
• www.YouTube.com
• https://byjus.com
• https://www.shaalaa.com
• https://www.toppr.com