Alternating emf and current:

A voltage or current is alternating if its magnitude changes continuously and direction

changes periodically.
So equation of alternating emf : E = E0 sin ωt or E0 cos ωt
Similarly equation of alternating current : I = I0 sin ωt or I0 cos ωt
Where E and I are Instantaneous value of emf and current and E0, I0 – Peak or maximum
value or amplitude of emf and current. ω – Angular frequency and ωt – Phase
So Graphical representation is

Note: If the frequency of AC is f then it becomes zero, 2f times in one second and the
direction of current changes 2f times in one second. Also it become maximum 2f times in
one second.
 CONDITION REQUIRED FOR CURRENT/ VOLTAGE TO BE ALTERNATING
• Amplitude is constant.
• Alternate half cycle is positive and half negative.
• The alternating current continuously varies in magnitude and periodically reverses its
direction.
1. The Equation of current in AC circuit is I = 4sin (100 t + /3) Calculate. (i) RMS Value
(ii) Peak Value (iii) Frequency (iv) Initial phase (v) Current at t = 0
Answer: (i) 22A (ii) 4A (iii) 50Hz (iv) /3 (v) 23A
2. If I = I0 sin t, E = E0 cos (t + /3). Calculate phase difference between E and I
Answer: 5/6
3. If E = 500 sin (100t) volt then calculate time taken to reach from (i) zero to
maximum. (ii) zero to rms value
Answer: (i) 1/200 s (ii) 1/400 s
 AVERAGE VALUE OF ALTERNATING EMF AND ALTERNATING CURRENT
(a) For complete cycle : Iav= 0

(b) For positive half cycle : Iav = 2i0/ and For negative half cycle : Iav = -2i0/
ROOT MEAN SQUARE OR EFFECTIVE VALUE OF ALTERNATING EMF AND ALTERNATING CURRENT

Irms =  (mean of square value of i)

Irms =  (mean of square value of I0 sin ωt )

Irms =  (mean of I02 sin2 ωt )

Irms = I0  (mean of sin2 ωt )

Irms = I0 /2

Thus Io > Irms > Iav

 MEASUREMENT OF ALTERNATING CURRENT
Terms AC meter DC Meter

Name Hot wire instrument Moving coil Galvanometer

Principle Heating effect Magnetic Effect

Reads rms value Average value

If used in DC, it gives actual reading AC, gives zero reading

Deflection Non linear linear

 PYQ
1. The rms value of a current given by I = i1 cos t + i2sint is [2024]

(a) (I1 + i2)/2 (b) (I1 - i2)/2 (c) (I12 + i22)/2 (d)  (I12 + i22)/2

2. In an ac circuit, the instantaneous values of current (in A) and voltage (in V) are I = 5 sint and E = 200 cos ( t + /3 )
respectively. The phase difference between voltage and current at any instant is [2024]
(a) 5/6 (b) 5/4 (c) 5/2 (d) 3/2

3. A voltage signal is described as V = V0 for 0< t<T/2 and V =0 for T/2< t<T for a cycle. Its rms value is [2023]

(a) V0/2 (b) V0 (c) V0/2 (d) V02

 ALTERNATING CURRENT CIRCUIT
AC circuit containing pure resistance:
the voltage and current are in the same phase. So I = I0 sin t, VR = V0 cost

1. A voltage V = 60 sin t volt is applied across a 20 resistor. What will an ac

ammeter in series with the resistor read ?
(Answer : 3/2)
 ALTERNATING CURRENT CIRCUIT
AC circuit containing pure inductance:
When a.c. flows through the circuit, voltage induced across
inductance (VL)= - Ldi/dt
Hence equation of circuit, E - Ldi/dt =0
E0 Sint - Ldi/dt = 0

or di = (E0/L) sint dt

i = - (E0/L) cos t or i = - (E0/xL) cos t

i = i0 sin(t-/2)
Note : 1. Voltage leads the current by /2.
2. Inductive reactance (xL) = L = 2fL i.e. xL  f
 1. Figure shows the variation of inductive reactance XL, of the two

ideal inductors of inductance L1 and L2, with angular frequency

‘’ . The value of L1/L2 is [2024]

(a) 3 (b) 1/3 (c) 3 (d) 1/3
2. An AC voltage is applied across an ideal inductor. The current in it [2024]
(a) Leads the voltage by (1/4) cycle (b) Lags the voltage by (1/4) cycle
(c) Leads the voltage by (1/2) cycle (d) Lags the voltage by (1/2) cycle
3. An ideal conductor is connected across an AC source of voltage. The current in the circuit [2023]
(a) is ahead of the voltage in phase by  (b) lags voltage in phase by 
(c) is ahead of the voltage in phase by /2 (d) lags voltage in phase by /2
4. An alternating voltage E = 200 2 sin (100t) volt is applied to 2H inductor through an
a.c. ammeter. What will be the equation of current and reading of the ammeter ?
 4. Effect on brightness of bulb in LR circuit (i) ‘f’ changes (ii) source AC to DC (iii) iron rod is
inserted (iv) Number of turns in coil/ solenoid changes.
5. The given graphs (a) and (b) represent the variation of the opposition offered by the circuit
element to the flow of alternating current, with frequency of the applied emf. Identify the
circuit element corresponding to each graph.
6. When an inductor is connected to a 200 V dc voltage, a current of 1A flows through it.
When the same inductor is connected to a 200 V, 50 Hz ac source, only 0.5 A current flows.
. Explain, why ? Also, calculate the self inductance of the inductor. [2019]
7. When a series combination of inductance and resistance are connected with a 10V, 50 Hz
a.c. source, a current of 1A flows in the circuit. The voltage leads the current by a phase
angle of / 3 radian. Calculate the values of resistance and inductive reactance
 ALTERNATING CURRENT CIRCUIT
AC circuit containing pure capacitance:
When a.c. flows through the circuit, voltage across
capacitor (Vc) = q/C
Hence equation of circuit, E = q/C
q = CE0 sint

or i = dq/dt = d/dt (CE0 sint)

i = CE0Lcos t or i = (E0/C) cos t

i = i0 sin(t+/2)
Note : 1. Voltage lags the current by /2.
2. Capacitive reactance (xc) = 1/C = 1/2fC i.e. xc  1/f
1. The reactance of a capacitor of capacitance C connected to an ac source of frequency
 is X. If the capacitance of the capacitor is doubled and the frequency of the source is
tripled, the reactance will become: [2024]
(a) X/6 (b) 6X (c) 2X/3 (d) 3X/2
2. An AC source V = 282 Sin (100t) Volt is connected across a 1F capacitor. The rms value
of current will be
[2024]
(a) 10mA (b) 20mA (c) 40mA (d) 80 mA
3. What is the ratio of inductive and capacitive reactance in an ac circuit
[2023]

(a) 2LC (b) LC2 (c) LC/2 (d) 2L

 ALTERNATING CURRENT CIRCUIT
LCR series circuit:
When a.c. flows through the circuit, current at any instant
through the three elements has the same amplitude and phase
However voltage across each element bears a different phase relationship with the current.

For i = I0 sin ωt,

VR = V0 cost [same phase],


VL = V0 sin(t+/2) [voltage leads] &

VC = V0 sin(t-/2) [voltage lags] (If VL> VC)

Thus resultant voltage (V) = [(VL – VC)2 + VR
Phase angle :
V= [(ixL – ixC)2 + (iR)2] tan  = (XL – XC)/R
and cos  = R/Z
or iZ = i[(xL – xC)2 + (R)2]  Z= [(xL – xC)2 + (R)2] (Impedance triangle)
 LR Circuit CR Circuit

Let I be the current in the circuit at any Let I be the current in the circuit at any
instant and VL and VR the potential instant and VC and VR the potential
differences across L and R respectively at that differences across C and R respectively at
instant. that instant.
VR = V0 cost VR = V0 cost
VL = V0 sin(t+/2) VC = V0 sin(t-/2)
Thus resultant voltage Thus resultant voltage
(V) = (VL2 + VR2] (V) = (VC2 + VR2]
and Z = (XL2 + XR2] and Z = (XC2 + XR2]
& tan  = XL/R & tan  = XC/R
1. A resistor and an ideal inductor are connected in series to a 100 2 V, 50 Hz ac source.
When a voltmeter is connected across the resistor or the inductor, it shows the same
reading. The reading of the voltmeter is: [2024]
(a) 1002V (b) 502V (c) 100V (d) 50V
2. A coil of resistance 20  and self-inductance 10 mH is connected to an ac source of
frequency 1000/ Hz. The phase difference between current in the circuit and the source
voltage is: [2024] (a) 30° (b) 60° (c) 75° (d) 45°
3. A series LCR circuit is connected to an ac source (200 V, 50 Hz). The voltages across the
resistor, capacitor and inductor are respectively 200 V, 250 V and 250 V. (i) The algebraic
sum of the voltages across the three elements is greater than the voltage of the source.
How is this paradox resolved? (ii) Given the value of the resistance of R is 40 , calculate
the current in the circuit.
4. A capacitor ‘C’, a variable resistor ‘R’ and a bulb ‘B’ are connected in series to the ac mains
in circuits. The bulb glows with some brightness. How will the glow of the bulb change if
(i) a dielectric slab is introduced between the plates of the capacitor, keeping resistance R
to be the same; (ii) the resistor R is increased keeping the same capacitance.
5. A capacitor of 5 F is connected to an ac source of 200 V, 1000/ Hz through a resistor of
100 . The phase difference between the voltage (V) applied and current (I) is: [2024]
(a) 120° (b) 90° (c) 60° (d) 45°
6. An ac voltage v = v0 sin t is applied to a series combination of a resistor R and an element

X. The instantaneous current in the circuit is I = I0 sin (t + /4 ). Then which of the
following is correct? [2023]
(a) X is a capacitor and XC = 2 R (b) X is an inductor and XL = R

(c) X is an inductor and XL = 2 R (d) X is a capacitor and XC = R

 RESONANCE
1. In a resonant circuit the natural frequency of circuit is equal to frequency of the applied voltage.
2. There are two types of resonance : (i) Series Resonance (ii) Parallel Resonance.
3. At resonance, impedance of the series resonant circuit is minimum so it is called 'acceptor circuit' as it
most readily accepts that current out of many currents whose frequency is equal to its natural frequency
Impedance of LCR circuit (z) = [(XL – XC)2 + (R)2]

For minimum Z, XL = XC  L = 1/C

So  = 1/LC, or f = 1/2LC, is called resonant frequency.
(Variation of Z with f)
Thus Zmin = R so imax= E/R

Hence at XL = XC, circuit nature is pure resistive so  = 0

If f< fr then XL< XC circuit nature capacitive, V lags ( negative)

If f> fr then XL> XC circuit nature capacitive, V leads ( positive) (Variation of i with f)
 POWER IN ALTERNATING CURRENT CIRCUIT
LCR series circuit:
When a.c. flows through the circuit, let Instantaneous current is
i = I0 sin ωt, and voltage is V = V0 sin(t+)
So instantaneous power P = VI  P = V0 sin(t+) I0 sin ωt

P = V0 I0sin(t+) sin ωt
For only R, Resonance circuit
P = V0I0 sin t (sint cos  – sin  cost)  = 0, So Pav = VrmsIrms
P = V0I0 (sin2t cos  – sin  sin t cost) For pure inductive or capacitive
So average power for complete cycle circuit  = 900 so Pav = 0
Pav = For LR, CR and LCR circuit
Pav = V0I0 (½ cos  – 0) Pav = VrmsIrms cos 
Pav = ½V0I0 cos  Pav = VrmsIrms (R/Z)
1. A resistor and an ideal inductor are connected in series to a 100 2 V, 50 Hz ac source.
When a voltmeter is connected across the resistor or the inductor, it shows the same
reading. The reading of the voltmeter is: [2024]
(a) 1002V (b) 502V (c) 100V (d) 50V
2. A coil of resistance 20  and self-inductance 10 mH is connected to an ac source of
frequency 1000/ Hz. The phase difference between current in the circuit and the source
voltage is: [2024] (a) 30° (b) 60° (c) 75° (d) 45°
3. A series LCR circuit is connected to an ac source (200 V, 50 Hz). The voltages across the
resistor, capacitor and inductor are respectively 200 V, 250 V and 250 V. (i) The algebraic
sum of the voltages across the three elements is greater than the voltage of the source.
How is this paradox resolved? (ii) Given the value of the resistance of R is 40 , calculate
the current in the circuit.