CHAPTER

07

Alternating Current
We have already studied in our previous chapters about electric and magnetic
fields and how energy can be stored in capacitors and inductors. In this chapter,
we will study how energy stored in one location can be transferred to another
location, so that it can be put to use. Most of the electric power generated and
used in the world is in the form of alternating current. Here, we will study about
some alternating current system that transfers energy efficiently and we will also
discuss some of the devices that make use of that energy.

TYPES OF CURRENT
There are two types of current which flows in any of the electrical appliances.
These are as follow

Direct current (DC)

Current whose direction does not change with time through a load, is known as
direct current (DC) and this voltage is known as direct voltage (DC voltage). The Inside
graph given below shows that the direction of direct current (I) or voltage (V) does
not change with time (t). 1 Types of current
Mean or average value of an
V or I alternating current
Root mean square value of an
alternating current
Form factor
Peak factor
O t
2 Representation of / of V as
Fig. 7.1 Voltage or current versus time graph for a DC
rotating vectors
Different types of alternating
Alternating current (AC) current circuits
Current whose direction changes periodically through a load, is known as Inductor as low pass filter
alternating current (AC) and the voltage is known as alternating voltage (AC AC voltage applied to a series
L-C-R circuit
voltage)
Parallel circuit (Rejector circuit)
I or V I or V
3 Power in an AC circuit
V0, I 0 Half power points in series
+ L-C-R circuit
+ +
t t Wattless current
– – L-C oscillations
–I 0
–V0 4 Choke coil
I = I 0 sin ω t I = I 0 cos ω t
Transformer
or V = V 0 sin ω t or V = V 0 cos ω t
Electric generator or dynamo
Fig. 7.2 Voltage or current versus time graph of an AC
464 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

Here, the magnitude of current or voltage increases from If I = I 0 sin (ωt + φ ), then the argument of sin (ωt + φ )
zero to a maximum value, then decreases to zero and is called its phase.
reverses in direction, increases to a maximum value in this (v) Phase difference The difference between the
direction and then decreases to zero. The complete set of phases of current and voltage is called phase
variations is known as a cycle. Thus, during one-half of difference. If alternating voltage and current is given
the cycle the current or voltage flows in one direction, by the relation,
whereas in the next half-cycle, it flows in the opposite
V = V0 sin (ωt + φ 1 )
direction.
and I = I 0 sin (ωt + φ 2 )
The instantaneous value of AC is given by
I = I 0 sinωt Then, phase difference, φ = φ 2 − φ 1
where, I = current at any instant t, (relative to voltage)
I 0 = maximum or peak value of AC and φ = φ1 − φ 2 (relative to current)
and ω = angular frequency.
Some important points related to
Alternating emf or voltage
The instantaneous value of alternating emf or voltage is
alternating current
given by (i) An AC is produced by AC generator or AC dynamo
and is represented by the symbol .
V = V0 sinω t
(ii) The AC is converted into DC with the help of
where, V = voltage at any time t, rectifier while DC is converted into AC with the
V0 = maximum or peak value of alternating voltage help of invertor.
and ω = angular frequency. (iii) It cannot produce electroplating or electrolysis.
Note Alternating current, alternating voltage or emf, flux, etc., all are (iv) It is measured with the help of ‘hot wire ammeter’.
sinusoidal waves.
(v) An AC can be transmitted over long distances
without much power loss.
Some definitions related to alternating
(vi) In an AC (sinusoidal) current or voltage can have
current or voltage following four values
(i) Time period The time taken to complete one cycle (a) Instantaneous value
of variations is called time period or periodic time. It (b) Peak value (I 0 orV0 )
is given by the formula, (c) rms value (I rms orVrms )
2π
T = (d) Average value
ω
where, 2 π = angular displacement in a complete cycle Mean or average value of an
and ω = angular frequency.
alternating current
(ii) Frequency The number of cycles completed per
Average or mean value of AC is defined as the value of
second by an alternating current is called its direct current which sends the same amount of charge in
frequency and is denoted by f or ν. a circuit in the same time as is sent by the given
1 ω alternating current in its half-cycle (i.e., T/2). It is denoted
f = =
T 2π by I av or I m .
The frequency of AC in India is 50 Hz, i.e. Let an alternating current be represented by I = I 0 sin ωt,
f = 50 Hz = 50 cps where I 0 is the peak value. Clearly, the mean value of
or ω = 2πf ≈ 314 rads −1 the current over a complete cycle is zero. It has no
significance. Hence, the mean value of alternating current
(iii) Peak value or amplitude The maximum value of is defined as its average over half a cycle. For positive half
alternating current or alternating voltage is defined cycle,
as peak value or amplitude. It is denoted by I 0 orV0 . 1 T/ 2
T /2 ∫0
(iv) Phase Phase is a physical quantity representing I mean = I dt
both the instantaneous value and direction of
alternating current at any instant. It is a Putting I = I 0 sin ωt and T = (2π /ω ), we get
dimensionless quantity and its unit is radian.
Alternating Current 465

2 π/ω ω I0 Example 7.2 Find the average value in the following cases
I mean =
T ∫0
I 0 sin ωt dt =
π ω
[− cos ωt] π0 / ω
(i) i = 4 + 3 cos ωt
I0 I (ii) V = 5 sin ωt + 3 cos ωt
=− [cos π − cos 0] = − 0 [−1 − 1] (iii) i = sin ωt + 2 sin 2ωt + 3 sin 3ωt
π π (iv) V = cos ωt + 3 cos 2ωt + 3 cos 3ωt + 2
2 Sol. (i) Average value of current, I av = I 0 = 4 unit
Thus, I mean = I 0 = 0.637I 0 = 63.7% of I 0
π (ii) Average value of voltage,Vav = 0
(iii) Average value of current, I av = 0
…[Mean current over positive half cycle]
(iv) Average value of voltage,Vav = 2 unit
In the same way, mean value of alternating emf,

E mean =
2E 0
= 0.637E 0 = 63.7% of E 0
Root mean square value of an
π alternating current
Similarly, for negative half cycle the mean value of It is defined as that value of a direct current which
alternating current is −2I 0 /π and the average value of emf produces the same amount of heating effect in a given
for negative half cycle is −2E 0 / π . resistor as is produced by the given alternating current
when passed for the same time during a complete cycle. It
Average values of some important is denoted by I rms , IV or I eff .
expressions of current and voltage It is also called virtual value or effective value of AC.
Let instantaneous value of alternating current,
(i) When I = I 1 sinωt + I 2 cos ωt
and V = V1 sinωt + V2 cosωt I = I 0 sin ωt
where I 1, I 2 ,V1 andV2 are constants, If dH is small amount of heat produced in time dt in
then I av = 0 andVav = 0 resistor R, then dH = I 2R dt. In complete cycle, the total
heat produced is
(ii) Similarly, when I = I 0 + I 1 sinωt +I 2 cosωt T
andV = V0 +V1sinωt +V2 cosωt ∫ dH = ∫0 I 2R dt
then I av = I 0 andVav = V0 T

(iii) When I = I 0 + I 1 sinωt + I 2 cos 2ωt

H= ∫0 (I 0 sin ωt ) 2 R dt

andV = V0 +V1 sinωt +V2 cos 2ωt On solving, we get

then I av = I 0 andVav = V0 I 02RT
H= …(i)
(iv) When I = I 1 sin ωt + I 2 sin 2ωt +I 3 sin 3ωt +I 0 2
andV = V1 sin ωt +V2 sin 2ωt +V3 sin 3ωt +V0
If I rms is rms value of alternating current and H is the heat
then I av = I 0 andVav = V0 produced by rms current, then
2
Example 7.1 If the peak value of a current in 50Hz AC H = I rms RT …(ii)
circuit is 7.07 A. What is the mean value of current over From Eqs. (i) and (ii),
half a cycle and the value of current 1/300 s after it was
I
zero? I rms = 0
2 I0 2
Sol. As, I m = , where I 0 = peak value of current = 7.07A
π
or I rms = 0.707I 0
∴ I m = 0.637 × 7.07
= 4.5 A or I rms = 70.7% of I 0
1
Also, at t = s In the same way, rms value of alternating emf
300
E
I = I 0 sin ωt = I 0 sin 2πft (Q ω = 2πf) E rms = 0 = 0.707 E 0 = 70.7% of E 0
2
 1  π
∴ I = 7.07 sin 2π × 50 ×  = 7.07 sin AC ammeter and AC voltmeter always measure the virtual
 300 3
value of AC or alternating voltage. Also, the power supply
3 which we are getting in our homes as 220 V AC is the rms
= 7.07 × = 6.12 A
2 voltage and its voltage amplitude is V0 = 2Vrms = 311 V.
466 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

This is the reason why AC is more dangerous than DC as Sol. (i) Here, peak value of AC supply,V0 = 300 V
311 V will cause more harm to the human body than V
∴ Using the relation, Vrms = 0
220 V DC. The different values I 0 , I av and I rms are shown 2
in figure below, 300
We get, Vrms = = 212.1 V
2
I
(ii) Let I 0 be the peak value of the current.
I0
I rms = 0.707 I 0 Here, I rms = rms value of current = 10 A
Iav = 0.637 I 0 I
Then, I rms = 0
t 2
∴ I 0 = 2 I rms
= 1.414 × 10 = 14.14 A
Fig. 7.3 Peak, rms and average value on the same graph Example 7.4 If V = 220 2 sin (314t − φ), calculate (i) peak
and rms value of the voltage, (ii) average voltage for half
time-period and (iii) frequency of AC.
rms values for some important
Sol. Given, V = 220 2 sin(314t − φ ) ...(i)
expressions of current and voltage Comparing with general equation, we get
(i) When I = I 1 sinωt + I 2 cosωt, where I 1 and I 2 are
(i) Peak voltage, V0 = 220 2 V
constant currents, then
V0 220 2
I2 I2 rms voltage, Vrms = = = 220 V
I rms = 1 + 2 2 2
2 2 2 2 440 2
(ii) Average voltage, V = V0 = × 220 2 = V
Similarly, whenV = V1 sinωt +V2 cosωt, whereV1 π π π
andV2 are constant voltages, then (iii) As, ω = 314 rad s−1
V12 V22 ⇒ ω = 2πf = 314
Vrms = + ⇒ f = 50 Hz
2 2
(ii) When I = I 0 + I 1 sin ωt + I 2 cos ωt Example 7.5 If the current in an AC circuit is represented by
the equation, I = 5 sin (300 t − π/4)
and V = V0 +V1 sinωt +V2 cosωt Here, t is in second and I is in ampere. Calculate,
(i) peak and rms value of current,
I 12 I 22
I rms = I 02 + + (ii) frequency of AC,
2 2 (iii) and average current.
Sol. (i) Comparing the given equation with general equation,
V12 V22 we have
and Vrms = V02 + +
2 2 I = I 0 sin (ωt ± φ )
(iii) When V = V1 sin ωt +V2 sin 2ωt + V3 sin 3 ωt +V0 ∴ The peak value of current, I0 = 5 A
I 5
and I = I 1 sin ωt + I 2 sin 2ωt + I 3 sin 3ωt + I 0 , then and Irms = 0 = = 3.535 A
2 2
V12 V22 V32 (ii) Angular frequency,
Vrms = + + +V02 ω = 300 rads −1
2 2 2
ω 300
∴ ν= = ≈ 47.75 Hz
I 12 I 22 I 32 2π 2π
and I rms = + + + I 02
2 2 2  2  2
(iii) Average current, I av =   I 0 =   (5)
 π  π
Example 7.3
(i) The peak voltage of an AC supply is 300V. What is the rms = 3.18 A
voltage? Example 7.6 The voltage supplied to a circuit is given by
(ii) The rms value of current in an AC circuit is 10 A. What is the V = V0 t 3/ 2 , where t is time in second. Find the rms value of
peak current? voltage for the period, t = 0 to t = 1s.
Alternating Current 467

Sol. The mean square voltage, Calculation of mean and rms value for
t 1
1 1
V 2 = ∫ V 2dt = ∫ V02 t 3dt some specific cases of alternating current
t 0 t 0
1 1 Sinusoidal waveform
t 4 
V02 V02 t 3  V02
=   =   = I0
 4 0
t  4 0 4 (i) I rms =
2
V
∴ Vrms = V2 = 0 I or V
2 I0,V0

Example 7.7 Calculate rms value of current and voltage for +

π 2π
the following cases 0 ωt
(i) I = 4 + 3 sin ωt –
(ii) V = 5 + 2 cos ωt
(iii) I = 2 + 3 sin ωt + 2 cos 2ωt
(iv) V = cos ωt + 2 cos 2ωt + 3 cos 3ωt Fig. 7.4 Sinusoidal waveform
Sol. (i) rms value of current, 2I 0
(ii) I av = , for half-cycle
I12 3 2
π
I rms = I 02 + = 42 + = 4.52 unit
2 2 I av = 0, for one complete cycle
(ii) rms value of voltage, π
(iii) R f = = 1.11
V12 22 2 2
Vrms = V02 + = 52 +
2 2 (iv) R p = 2 = 1.41
= 519
. unit
(iii) rms value of current, Square or rectangular waveform
I12 I 22 (i) I rms = I 0 , for one complete cycle
I rms = I 02 + +
2 2 I or V
32 22 I0,V0
= 22 + + = 3.24 unit
2 2 +
ωt
(iv) rms value of voltage, –
V12 V22 V32
Vrms = + +
2 2 2 Fig. 7.5 Square or rectangular waveform
12 22 32
= + + = 2 .64 unit (ii) I av = I 0 , for half-cycle
2 2 2
I av = 0, for one complete cycle
Form factor I
(iii) R f = 0 = 1
Form factor is defined as the ratio of rms value of AC to I0
its average value during half-cycle, i.e. I0
(iv) R p = =1
rms value I0
Rf =
average value
Half-wave rectified
V / 2 π
= 0 = = 1.11 (i) I rms =
I0
, for one complete cycle
2V0 /π 2 2 2

Peak factor I or V

The ratio of peak value and rms value is called peak I0,V0
factor. It is given by + +
0 ωt
peak value V0 π 2π 3π
Rp = = = 2 = 1.41
rms value V0 / 2 Fig. 7.6 Half-wave rectified waveform
468 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

I0 For a current varying wave as shown in the graph

(ii) I av = , for one complete cycle
π T 2 
1/ 2

2I  ∫ I dt 
I av = 0 , for half-cycle
=  0T  I0
π (i) I rms =
  3
I /2 π  ∫ dt 
(iii) R f = 0 = = 1.57
I 0 /π 2  0 
I0 I
(iv) R p = =2 I0
I 0 /2

Full wave rectified t

T T 3T
I0 2 2T
2
(i) I rms = , for one complete cycle
2 I0

I or V Fig. 7.8

 T Idt 
∫
I0,V0
+ + (ii) I av =  0T 
ωt  
π 2π  ∫0 dt 
Fig. 7.7 Full wave rectified waveform
Area of I-t graph for t = 0 to t = T I 0
2I 0 = =
(ii) I av = T 2
π
I0 / 3 2
I / 2 π (iii) R f = = = 1.15
(iii) R f = 0 = = 1.11 I 0 /2 3
2 I 0 /π 2 2
I0
I0 (iv) R p = = 3
(iv) R p = = 2 I0 / 3
I0 / 2

CHECK POINT 7.1

1. The frequency of a sinusoidal wave 6. 220 V, 50 Hz, AC is applied to a resistor. The instantaneous
E = 0.40 cos [2000 t + 0.80 ] would be value of voltage is
(a) 1000 π Hz (b) 2000 Hz (a) 220 2sin100 πt (b) 220sin100 πt
(c) 20 Hz (d) 1000/π Hz (c) 220 2sin 50 πt (d) 220sin 50 πt
2. Frequency of AC mains in India is
7. The instantaneous current in an AC circuit is
(a) 30 cps (b) 50 cps (c) 60 cps (d) 120 cps
I = 2 sin (50t + π /4). The rms value of current is
3. A 220 V AC is more dangerous than 220 V DC because (a) 2A (b) 50 A (c) 90 A (d) 1 A
(a) the AC attracts
(b) the DC repels 8. The peak value of an alternating current is 5 A and its
(c) the body offers less resistance to AC frequency is 60 Hz. Find its rms value and time taken to
(d) peak voltage for AC is much larger than 220 V reach the peak value of current starting from zero.
(a) 3.536 A, 4.167 ms (b) 3.536 A, 15 ms
4. Alternating current is transmitted to take places
(c) 6.07 A, 10 ms (d) 2.536 A, 4.167 ms
(a) at high voltage and low current
(b) at high voltage and high current 9. If an alternating voltage is represented as E = 141 sin(628 t),
(c) at low voltage and low current then the rms value of the voltage and the frequency are
(d) at low voltage and high current respectively
(a) 141V, 628 Hz (b) 100 V, 50 Hz
2πt
5. An AC voltage is given by E = E0 sin (c) 100 V, 100 Hz (d) 141 V, 100 Hz
T
10. An alternating current in a circuit is given by
Then, the mean value of voltage calculated over any time
interval of T/2 second I = 20 sin (100πt + 0.05π) A. The rms value and the
frequency of current respectively, are
(a) is always zero (b) is never zero
(a) 10 A and 100 Hz (b) 10 A and 50 Hz
(c) is always (2E 0 / π) (d) may be zero
(c) 10 2 A and 50 Hz (d) 10 2 A and 100 Hz
Alternating Current 469

REPRESENTATION OF I OR V
AS ROTATING VECTORS
To simplify the study of AC circuit, alternating quantities Suppose E is the potential drop across resistance (R ), then
(i.e. I orV) are represented as rotating vectors, with the E = IR …(ii)
angle between the vectors equal to the phase difference R
between the current and emf or voltage. These rotating
vectors representing current and alternating voltage are
called phasors.
Some important points regarding phasors are as follows
E
● The length of the vector represents the maximum or peak
Fig. 7.10 AC voltage applied to a resistor
value, i.e. I 0 andV0 .
● The projection of the vector on fixed axis gives the Instantaneous emf = Instantaneous value of potential drop
instantaneous value of alternating current and alternating emf. ∴ From Eqs. (i) and (ii), we have
If I = I 0 sin ω t and V = V0 sin ω t, projection is taken on IR = E = E 0 sinωt
Y-axis. If I = I 0 cos ωt and V = V0 cos ωt, projection is
E E sinωt
taken on X-axis. or I = = 0
● A phasor is a geometric entity and not a real physical R R
quantity that helps us to describe and analyse physical  E0 
I = I 0 sinωt Q I 0 =  …(iii)
quantities that vary sinusoidally with time.  R 
● A diagram representing alternating current and alternating
Comparing I 0 = E 0 / R with Ohm’s law, we find that
emf (of same frequency) as rotating vectors (phasors) with
resistors work equally well for both AC and DC voltages.
the phase angle between them is called phasor diagram.
From Eqs. (i) and (iii), we get that there is zero phase
ω ω
difference between instantaneous alternating current and
I0 instantaneous alternating emf (i.e. they are in same phase).
I0
I 0 sin ω t
or
E and I E
I
I0
ωt ωt
0 π E0 2π
O O I 0 cos ωt

Fig. 7.9 Phasor diagram ωt

Fig. 7.11 E and I versus ωt graph of a resistive circuit
Different types of alternating Phasor Diagram
current circuits E E0
In this section, we will derive voltage-current relations for
I
individual as well as combined circuit elements carrying a I0
sinusoidal current. We will consider resistors, inductors ωt
and capacitors.

1. Pure resistor in an AC circuit Fig. 7.12 Phasor diagram for a purely resistive circuit
(Resistive circuit or R-circuit) Here, peak values E 0 and I 0 are represented by vectors
Suppose a resistor of resistance R is connected to an AC rotating with angular velocity ω with respect to horizontal
source of emf with instantaneous value (E ) is given by reference. Their projections on vertical axis give their
E = E 0 sinωt …(i) instantaneous values.
470 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

Variation of resistance with frequency of source E0

= cos ωt
Figure given below shows the graph of R as a function of 1/ωC
angular frequency ω. The resistance R, does not depend E0
upon angular frequency of the source. ⇒ I = sin(ωt + π /2)
1/ωC
R
[Q cos ωt = sin(π /2 + ωt )]…(ii)
R
I will be maximum when sin(ωt + π /2) = 1, so that I = I 0
E0
where, peak value of current, I 0 =
1/ ω C
ω
∴ I = I 0 sin(ωt + π / 2) ...(iii)
Fig. 7.13 R remains constant with ω or f
From Eqs. (i) and (iii), it is clear that in a perfect capacitor,
Example 7.8 A 200 Ω resistor is connected to a 220 V, 50 the current leads the voltage by a phase angle of π/2 (90°)
Hz AC supply. Calculate rms value of current in the circuit. or the voltage lags behind the current by a phase angle of
Also, find phase difference between voltage and the current. π/2 (90°).
Sol. Given, Vrms = 220 V, f = 50 Hz, R = 200 Ω E
E0 I
V I0
Current in the purely resistive AC circuit, I =
R ωt
∴ rms value of current, 0 ωt1 π 2π
V 220
I rms = rms = = 1.1 A
R 200
In purely resistive AC circuit, current and voltage are in Fig. 7.15 E and I versus ωt graph of a capacitive circuit
phase. Therefore, phase difference is zero.
Phasor Diagram
2. Pure capacitor in an AC circuit The phase representing peak emf E 0 makes an angle ωt in
(Capacitive circuit or C-circuit) anti-clockwise direction with respect to horizontal axis. As
Let us consider a capacitor with capacitance C be connected current leads the voltage by 90°, the phasor representing
to an AC source with emf having instantaneous value. I 0 is turned 90° anti-clockwise with the phasor
representing E 0 . The projections of these phasors on the
E = E 0 sinω t …(i) vertical axis give instantaneous values of E and I.
C
E E0
I0
I0 sin (ωt+ π/2)

I
π/2
E0 sin ωt
ωt

E = E0 sin ω t t

Fig. 7.14 An AC source connected to a capacitor

Fig. 7.16 Phasor diagram for purely capacitive circuit
Due to this emf, charge will be produced and it will charge
the plates of capacitor with positive and negative charge.
If potential difference across the plates of capacitor isV, Capacitive Reactance ( XC )
then Instantaneous value of alternating current through a
q capacitor is given by
V= or q = CV E  π
C I = 0 sin (ω t + π / 2) = I 0 sin  ωt + 
The instantaneous value of current in the circuit, 1/ωC  2
dq d E0
I = = (CE ) (QV = E ) Comparing with Ohm’s law, we get I 0 =
dt dt 1 / ωC
d 1
= (CE 0 sin ωt ) (Q E = E 0 sin ωt ) XC =
dt ωC
= CE 0 cosωt × ω where, XC is called capacitive reactance.
Alternating Current 471

The opposing nature of capacitor to the flow of alternating Example 7.9 A 60 µF capacitor is connected to a 110 V,
current is called capacitive reactance. 60 Hz AC supply. Determine the rms value of the current
If f is the frequency of the alternating current, then in the circuit.
Vrms
Sol. As, I rms =
1 XC
XC =
2πf C 1 1
where, X C = =
ωC 2πfC
The dimensions of capacitive reactance are same as that of
resistance and its SI unit is ohm (Ω ). The capacitive Here, C = 60 µF = 60 × 10−6F,Vrms = 110 V, f = 60 Hz
reactance limits the amplitude of the current in a purely 1
So, XC = Ω
capacitive circuit in the same way as the resistance limits 2 × π × 60 × 60 × 10−6
the current in a purely resistive circuit.
∴ I rms = 110 × 2 × 3.14 × 3600 × 10−6 = 2.49 A
It is inversely proportional to the capacitance and
frequency of the current. Thus, if frequency of AC Example 7.10 An alternating voltage V = 200 2 sin (100 t )V
increases, then its capacitive reactance decreases. is connected to a 1 µF capacitor through an AC ammeter.
When capacitor is connected to DC source, What will be the reading of the ammeter?
1 1 Sol. Consider the purely capacitive circuit as shown below.
XC = = =∞ C =1µF
ωC 0
(Q For DC, ω = 2πf = 0, as f = 0)
Thus, capacitor blocks DC and acts as open circuit while
passing AC of high frequency.
C
Given, V = 200 2 sin (100 t )
Comparing it with general equation,V = V0 sin (ωt )
+ – we get, V0 = 200 2 V, ω = 100 rad s−1
DC source 1 1
∴ Reactance, X C = = = 104 Ω
Fig. 7.17 Capacitor connected to a DC source ωC 100 × 10−6
Variation of capacitive reactance with frequency V0 200 2
Peak value of current, I 0 = = 4
= 2 2 × 10−2 A
The graph of XC as function of angular frequency ω can be XC 10
drawn as I0 2 2 × 10−2
rms value of current, I rms = =
XC 2 2
= 20 × 10−3A = 20 mA
Reading of the ammeter will be same as, I rms = 20 mA.

ω
3. Pure inductor in an AC circuit
Fig. 7.18 Capacitive reactance X C decreases with frequency (Inductive circuit or L-circuit)
Suppose an inductor with self-inductance (L ) is connected to
Capacitor as high pass filter AC source with instantaneous emf (E ) is given by
The capacitive reactance of a capacitor is inversely E = E 0 sinωt …(i)
proportional to the capacitance C and to angular frequency L
ω . The greater the capacitance and higher the frequency,
e
smaller is the capacitive reactance XC . I
Capacitors tend to pass high frequency current and block K
low frequency current, just the opposite of inductors. The
device that passes signals of high frequency is called a E = E0 sin ω t
high pass filter. Fig. 7.19 An AC source connected to an inductor
472 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

When key is closed, then current begins to grow because Phasor Diagram
magnetic flux linked with it changes and an emf is The phasor representing peak emf E 0 makes an angle ωt
induced which opposes the applied emf. in anti-clockwise direction from horizontal axis. As
According to Lenz’s law, current lags behind the voltage by 90°, so the phasor
dI representing I 0 is turned 90° clockwise with the direction
e = −L of E 0 .
dt
E E0
dI
where, e is induced emf and is the rate of change of
dt E 0 sin ωt
current. ωt
To maintain the flow of current in the circuit, applied 90°
voltage must be equal and opposite to the induced emf. I 0 sin ωt–π/2
E = −e I I0
 LdI  LdI E
∴ E = − −  = or dI = dt
 dt  dt L Fig. 7.21 Phasor diagram for purely inductive circuit

Integrating the above equation on both sides, we get

E
Inductive Reactance ( X L )
∫ dI = ∫ L dt The opposing nature of inductor to the flow of current is
called inductive reactance.
E sinωt
I =∫ 0 dt [Q E = E 0 sin ωt] E
As, I = 0 sin(ωt − π /2) or I 0 = E 0 /ωL
L ωL
E 0  − cosωt  E0 E
⇒ I =   =− cos ωt Comparing with Ohm’s law, I 0 = 0 . The quantity ωL is
L  ω  ωL R
analogous to the resistance and is denoted by XL .
E
⇒ I = − 0 sin(π /2 − ωt ) So, X L = ωL
ωL
 π   XL is called inductive reactance.
Q sin  2 − ωt  = cos ωt  If f is the frequency of AC source, then
 
E  2π 
⇒ I = 0 sin(ωt − π /2) …(ii) XL = ωL = 2πf L Q ω = = 2πf 
ωL  T 

If sin(ωt − π /2) = maximum = 1 , then I = I 0 The dimensions of inductive reactance are same as that of
resistance and its SI unit is ohm (Ω ). The inductive
E reactance limits the current in a purely inductive circuit in
where, peak value of current, I 0 = 0
ωL the same way as the resistance limits the current in a
purely resistive circuit.
⇒ I = I 0 sin(ωt − π /2) …(iii)
The inductive reactance is directly proportional to the
From Eqs. (i) and (iii), it is clear that in a pure inductor, inductance and to the frequency of the AC current.
the current lags behind the voltage by a phase angle of π/2 Thus, if the frequency of AC increases, its inductive
(90°) or the voltage leads the current by a phase angle of reactance also increases.
π / 2 (90°). If inductor is connected to DC source, then for DC,
 1
E f =0 Q f = 
E0 I  T
ωt L
0 ωt1 π 2π

I0
+ –

Fig. 7.20 E and I versus ωt graph of an inductive circuit DC source

Fig. 7.22 Inductor connected to a DC source
Alternating Current 473

Here, f is frequency. Vrms = 220V

∴ XL = 0 ∴ X L = 2π × 50 × 44 × 10−3 = 13.82 Ω
Therefore, inductor passes DC and blocks AC of very high 220
∴ rms value of current, I rms = = 15.9A
frequency. 13.82

Variation of inductive reactance with frequency

The graph of XL as function of angular frequency ω can
AC voltage applied to a series
be drawn as shown below. Clearly, X 2 linearly increases L-C-R circuit
with ω. Suppose that an inductor (L ), capacitor (C ) and resistor (R )
XL are connected in series to an AC source. I is the current
passed through this circuit. As R, L, C are in series,
therefore at any instant through the three elements, AC
has the same amplitude and phase. Let it be represented by
I = I 0 sinωt
ω However, voltage across each element bears a different
Fig. 7.23 X L versus ω phase relationship with the current.
VL VC VR
Inductor as low pass filter A B C D
L
If an oscillating voltage of a given amplitudeV0 is applied VL
C R

across an inductor, the resulting current will have a π/2

I
I
smaller amplitude I 0 for larger value of ω . Since, XL is I π/2
VC VR
I
proportional to frequency, a high frequency voltage
applied to the inductor gives only a small current while a
lower frequency voltage of the same amplitude gives rise AC source, E = E0 sin ω t

to a larger current. Fig. 7.24 An AC source connected to series L-C-R circuit

Inductors are used in some circuit applications, such as VL = I 0 XL (VL is maximum voltage across L)
power supplies and radio interference filters to block high
frequencies while permitting lower frequencies to pass VC = I 0 XC (VC is maximum voltage across C )
through. A circuit device that uses an inductor for this VR = I 0 R (VR is maximum voltage across R)
purpose is called a low pass filter. Inside phasor diagrams of each L, C and R are given. To
form phasor diagram for series L-C-R circuit, combine all
Example 7.11 An ideal inductor of inductance 50 µH is
these phasor diagrams.
connected to an AC source of 220V, 50 Hz. Find the
inductive reactance. VL
Sol. As inductive reactance, X L = ωL = 2πfL A B
E0
where, L is inductance = 50 µH = 50 × 10− 6 H VL − VC
π/2
and f = source frequency = 50 Hz φ I0
∴ X L = 2 × π × 50 × 50 × 10−6
O
C
π/2
= 2π × 25 × 10−4 Ω VR
−3
= 5π × 10 Ω VC
= 5π mΩ
Fig. 7.25 Phasor diagram of a series L-C-R circuit
Example 7.12 A 44 mH inductor is connected to 220 V, 50 Hz
AC supply. Determine the rms value of the current in the Since, voltage (VL ) is in upward direction and voltage (VC ) in
circuit. downward direction, so net voltage upto point A is (VL − VC )
Vrms
(assumingVL > VC ) and net maximum voltage is E 0 .
Sol. As, I rms = From phasor diagram,
XL
where, X L = ωL = 2π fL is the reactance of the inductor. OB = (OC ) 2 + (CB ) 2 = VR2 + (VL −VC ) 2
Here, f = 50 Hz,
E 0 = (I 0 R ) 2 + (I 0 XL − I 0 XC ) 2 [Q OB = E 0 ]
−3
L = 44mH = 44 × 10 H,
474 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

E 0 = I 0 R 2 + (XL − XC ) 2 The variation of Z with frequency ω

At ω = ω 0 , XL = XC , Z = R = minimum.
E0
∴ Z = = R 2 + (XL − XC ) 2
I0
Here, Z is called impedance. Z
Zmin
Impedance R
ω0
It is the total resistance of a circuit, applied in the path of
ω (or f )
alternating current. It is given by
Fig. 7.27 Z versus ω for a series L-C-R circuit
Z = R 2 + (XL − XC ) 2
From phasor diagram, it is clear that voltage leads the
current by angle φ. Reduction of L-C-R circuit to L-C, R-C, L-R circuit
∴ From ∆OCB, The general formula of L-C-R series circuit can be reduced to apply it
on L-C, R-C, L-R, circuit.
CB VL −VC
tanφ = = For L-C-R circuit, impedance Z = R 2 + ( X L − X C ) 2
OC VR
I 0 XL − I 0 XC L-C circuit
= For L-C circuit, there is no R, so, we can ignore terms related to R.
I 0R
∴ For L-C circuit, Z = ( X L − X C ) 2 or ( X L − X C )
X − XC
tanφ = L (i) If X L > X C , then circuit will behave like pure inductive circuit and
R voltage will lead the current by π / 2.
(ii) If X L < X C , then circuit will behave like pure capacitive circuit
B and voltage will lag behind the current by π / 2.
(iii) If X L = X C , then Z = 0 in this condition and current in the circuit
will be maximum.
Z
XL− XC

R-C circuit
For R-C circuit, there is no L, so we can ignore the term related to L.
φ ∴ For R-C circuit, Z = R 2 + X C2
C R O The phase difference between current and emf,
Fig. 7.26 Impedance triangle of an L-C-R circuit XC
tan φ =
R
∴ The alternating emf in the series L-C-R circuit would Here, the current leads the voltage by φ.
be represented by E = E 0 sin(ωt + φ ). ∴ I = I 0 sin (ωt + φ)

Special Cases L-R circuit

(i) When XL = XC , In L-R circuit, there is no C, so we can ignore the term related to C.

∴ Z =R ∴ For L-R circuit, Z = R 2 + X L2

and tanφ = 0 (Q φ = 0 ° ) The phase difference between current and emf, tan φ = X L / R
Hence, voltage and current are in the same phase. Here, the emf leads the current by φ.
The AC circuit is non-inductive or resistive circuit. ∴ I = I 0 sin (ωt − φ)
(ii) When XL > XC , then tanφ is positive.
Hence, voltage leads the current by a phase angle φ. Resonance
The AC circuit is inductive circuit.
In series L-C-R circuit, when phase (φ ) between current
(iii) When XC > XL , then tanφ is negative. and voltage is zero, the circuit is said to be in resonance.
Hence, voltage lags behind the current by a phase As, applied frequency increases, then
angle φ. The AC circuit is capacitive circuit. XL = ωL, XL increases
Alternating Current 475

1 resonance to the impressed voltage, which is the voltage

and XC = , XC decreases.
ωC applied across R.
At some frequency (ω 0 ) , XL = XC Voltage across L (or C )
Q-factor =
⇒ XL = ω 0 L Voltage across R
1
and XC =
ω 0C VL or VC 1 L
The frequency at which XC and XL becomes equal is Q -factor = =
VR R C
called resonant frequency.
1 1 1 ω 0L
∴ ω 0L = or ω02 = or (2πf 0 ) 2 = = =
1
ω 0C LC LC R ω 0 RC
(Q ω 0 = 2πf 0 , where f 0 is resonant frequency)
It is also defined as,
1 1
2πf 0 = or f 0 = Maximum energy stored
LC 2π LC Q -factor = 2π ×
Energy dissipation
Resonant frequency is independent of the resistance
of the circuit. At resonating frequency, Q is just a number having no dimensions, it can also be
called voltage multiplication factor of the circuit.
Z = R = Minimum
From the above relation, it is clear that as R increases, (or
Since, Z is minimum, therefore I will be maximum.
current decreases) Q-factor of the circuit decreases which
V can be shown in graph below.
∴ I = = Maximum
Z Q
These circuits are used for voltage amplification and as I0 R = 10 Ω
selector circuits in wireless telegraphy. I0
I=—
√2 R decreases
Response curves of series L-C-R circuit Q increases

The impedance of an L-C-R circuit depends on the

R=100 Ω
frequency. The dependance is shown in figure. The
frequency is taken on logarithmic scale because of its wide
O ω1 ω0 ω2
range. ω
Z I Z Fig. 7.29 Q versus ω graph of an L-C-R circuit

The electronic circuit with high Q values would respond to

R a very narrow range of frequencies and vice-versa. The
higher the value of Q, the narrower and sharper is the
XL XC
resonance and greater is the current as shown below.
Resonance log ω
R3
I

XL – XC
Fig. 7.28 Impedance (Z) versus log ω graph for R2
a series L-C-R circuit
From the figure, we can see that at resonance, R1

1 R1 > R2 > R3
(i) XL = XC or ω 0 = O
ω
LC
Fig. 7.30 I versus ω graph of an L-C-R circuit
(ii) Z = Z min = R
(iii) and I is maximum. ω0
Also, Q-factor or Q =
ω1 − ω 2
Quality factor (Q-factor)
where, ω1 and ω 2 are frequencies when current decreases
It is the measure of sharpness of the resonance of an
to 0.707 times of the peak value of current (Fig. 7.29).
L-C-R circuit. It is defined as, the ratio of voltage
developed across the inductance or capacitance at We may write, ω1 = ω 0 + ∆ω ⇒ ω 2 = ω 0 − ∆ω
476 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

The difference ω1 − ω 2 = 2∆ω is often called the (ii) Inductive reactance, X L = ωL = (103 rad s−1) (4 H)
bandwidth of the circuit. = 4.0 × 103 Ω
 ω  (iii) The amplitude of voltage across inductor,
The quantity  Q = 0  , is regarded as a measure of
 2∆ω  V0 = I0 X L = (2.0 × 10 –2 A) (4.0 × 10 3 Ω) = 80 V
sharpness of resonance, i.e. Q -factor is defined as the ratio In an AC circuit, voltage across the inductor leads the
of resonant angular frequency to the bandwidth of the π
current by 90° or rad. Hence,
circuit. 2
The smaller the bandwidth (∆ω ), the sharper or narrower  π
VL = V0 sin ωt + 
 2
is the resonance.
 3 π 
Note = (80 V) sin (10 rad s −1) t + rad
(i) Q-factor denotes the sharpness of tuning.
 2 
(ii) High Q-factor indicates lower rate of energy loss. Note The amplitude of voltage across the resistor ( = 2.0 V) is not same
(iii) Higher value of Q-factor indicates sharper peak in the current. as the amplitude of the voltage across the inductor (= 80 V), even
(iv) R = 0, Q-factor = infinity though the amplitude of the current through both elements is the
same.
Example 7.13 A sinusoidal voltage of frequency 60 Hz and
peak value 150V is applied to a series L-R circuit, where Example 7.15 An alternating emf 200 virtual volts at 50 Hz
R = 20 Ω and L = 40 mH . is connected to a circuit of resistance 1 Ω and inductance
(i) Compute T, ω , X L, Z and φ. 0.01 H. What is the phase difference between the current
(ii) Compute the amplitudes of current,VR , VL andV0. and the emf in the circuit? Also find the virtual current in
the circuit.
Sol. (i) Consider a series L-R circuit as shown below
Sol. In case of an inductor, the voltage leads the current in
20 Ω 40 mH phase by an angle,
X 
φ = tan−1  L 
R 
Here, X L = ωL = (2πfL )
V0 = 150 V, f = 60 Hz
= (2π ) (50) (0.01) = π Ω
1 1
As T = = s and R =1Ω
f 60
∴ φ = tan–1(π ) ≈ 72.3°
−1
∴ ω = 2πf = 377 rads V rms V rms
Further, I rms = =
Q X L = ωL = (377) (0.040) = 15.08 Ω |Z | R 2 + X L2
⇒ Z = X L2 + R 2 = 25.05 Ω Substituting the values we have,
X  200
Phase angle, φ = tan–1 L  = tan−1 (0.754) = 37° I rms = = 60.67 A
R  (1) 2 + (π )2
(ii) Amplitudes (maximum value) are,
Example 7.16 A resistance and inductance are connected in
V 150 series across a voltage,V = 283 sin 314 t.
I0 = 0 = ≈ 6A
Z 25.05  π
The current is found to be I = 4 sin 314 t –  . Find the
⇒ V( 0 )R = I 0 R = 120 V and (V0 )L = I 0 X L = 90.5 V  4
∴ V0 = (V0 )R2 + (V0 )L2 = (120)2 + (90.5)2 = 150 .3 V values of the inductance and resistance.
Sol. In L-R series circuit current lags the voltage by an angle,
Example 7.14 A 100 Ω resistance is connected in series X 
with a 4 H inductor. The voltage across the resistor is φ = tan–1 L 
R 
VR = (2.0V ) sin (10 3 rads −1 )t.
π
(i) Find the expression of circuit current. Here, φ=
4
(ii) Find the inductive reactance.
∴ X L = R or ωL = R
(iii) Derive an expression for the voltage across the inductor.
∴ 314 L = R (Q ω = 314 rad s−1) …(i)
V (2.0 V) sin (103 rad s−1) t
Sol. (i) Current in the circuit, I = R = Further, V0 = I 0| Z |
R 100
= (2.0 × 10 –2 3 −1
A) sin (10 rad s ) t ∴ 283 = 4 R 2 + X L2
Alternating Current 477

2
 283 ∴ Time lag between the maximum current and the
or R 2 + (ωL )2 =   = 5005.56 maximum voltage is given by
 4 
33.5 π
or 2 R 2 = 5005. 56 (as ωL = R ) φ
t = = 180 (Q φ = ωt)
∴ R = 50 Ω ω 120π
and from Eq. (i), L = 0.16 H = 1.55 × 10−3 s
Example 7.17 A long solenoid connected to a 12V DC source = 1.55 ms
passes a steady current of 2 A. When the solenoid is
connected to an AC source of 12 V at 50 Hz, the current Example 7.19 A circuit containing of a capacitor and an
flowing is 1A. Calculate inductance of the solenoid. active resistance R = 110 Ω connected in series is fed an
alternating voltage with amplitudeV0 = 110V . In this case,
Sol. Remember that the solenoid mentioned here is not just a the amplitude of current is equal to I 0 = 0.50 A. Find the
solenoid but has the resistance also due to its wire material. phase difference between the current and the voltage fed.
Now, in DC, the solenoid doesn’t offer any reactance after a
few milliseconds, however in the beginning it offers infinite Sol. Consider an RC circuit as shown below
resistance. So, the current by a DC source into an inductor is, R=110 Ω C
V
I=
R
12
or R= = 6Ω
2
But when an AC source is connected to the same inductor, V0 = 110V
the reactance will also come into picture.
V
So, I= Given, I 0 = 0.50 A
R + ω 2L2
2
V 110
∴ I 0 = 0 ⇒ 0.5 = ⇒ Z = 220 Ω
Here, I = 1 A,V = 12 V, R = 6 Ω Z Z
ω = 2 π × 50 = 100 π rads −1, L = ? Q Z 2 = R 2 + X C2 ⇒ (220)2 = (110)2 + X C2
12 ⇒ X C2 = (220)2 − (110)2 = 330 × 110
or 1= ⇒ L = 33 mH
6 + (100 πL )2
2
⇒ X C = 110 3 Ω
Example 7.18 A 100 µF capacitor in series with a 40 Ω Now we can write,
resistance is connected to 110 V, 60 Hz supply. X C 110 3
(a) What is the maximum current in the circuit? tan φ = = = 3 ⇒ φ = 60°
R 110
(b) What is the time lag between the maximum current and the
maximum voltage? Example 7.20 An AC voltage source is applied across an R-C
Sol. (a) Peak value of voltage, circuit. Angular frequency of the source is ω, resistance is R
and capacitance is C. The current registered is I. If now the
E 0 = 2 Erms = 2 × 110 = 155.5 V frequency of source is changed to ω /2 (but maintaining the
and ω = 2πf = 2π × 60 = 120π rad/s same voltage), the current in the circuit is found to be two
Let I 0 = maximum current in the circuit.
third. Calculate the ratio of reactance to resistance at the
original frequency ω .
E E0
∴ I0 = 0 = Sol. Consider the R-C circuit as shown below.
Z 2
 1 
R2 +   R C
 ωC 

155.5
= = 3.23 A
1600 + 703.62
(b) In an R-C circuit, the voltage lags behind the current by V, ω
the phase angle φ given by
1
X 1 1 Q XC =
tan φ = C = = ωC
R ωCR 120π × 10−4 × 40
and Z = R 2 + X C2
= 0.6631 = tan 33.5° V V
π ∴ I= = …(i)
∴ φ = 33.5° = 33.5 × rad Z R + X C2
2
180
478 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

ω Example 7.22 A series L-C-R circuit is connected across a

When frequency is changed to .
2  π
source of emf E = 20 sin 100πt −  . The current from the
 6
C
R
 π
supply is I = 4 sin 100πt +  . Draw the impedance
 12
triangle for the circuit.
Sol. Given, E 0 = 20V and I 0 = 4A
V, ω E0
2 ∴ Z= = 5Ω
I0
The value of new capacitive reactance is π  π π
1 2 The current leads emf by φ = − −  =
X C′ = = = 2 XC 12  6  4
(ω /2) C ωC
The impedance triangle can be drawn as
New impedance, Z ′ = R 2 + X C2 = R 2 + (2X C )2
V 5

Ω
⇒ I′ = XC –XL = 5 sinφ = Ω

5
Z=
2 √2
R + 4 X C2
π
φ=
2 4
It is given that, I ′ = I 5
3 R = 5 cos φ = Ω
√2
2 V V
⇒ × = [from Eq. (i)]
3 2
R + XC 2
R + 4X C2
2 Example 7.23 If the reading of voltmeterV1 is 30 V, what is
the reading of voltmeterV2 ?
⇒ 4R 2 + 16 X C2 = 9 R 2 + 9X C2 V2
⇒ 7X C2 = 5R 2

XC 5
⇒ = V1
R 7
Example 7.21 A coil of inductance 0.01H is connected in
series with a capacitor of capacitance 25 µF with an AC E = 40 √2 sin µt
source whose emf is given by E = 310 sin 314t V. What is
the reactance of the circuit? Sol. AC voltmeter reads rms value of voltage.
Sol. Consider a series L-C circuit as shown below V
rms voltage applied = 0 = 40
2
L = 0.01 H C = 25 µF
If reading of voltmeterV2 is X, then Vrms = V12 + V22

I or X 2 + 302 = 40
⇒ X = 26.45 V
E = 310 sin 314t (volt) Example 7.24 An inductor coil, a capacitor and an AC
source of rms voltage 24 V are connected in series. When
Given, E = 310 sin 314 t (volt) the frequency of the sources is varied, a maximum rms
current of 6 A is observed. If this inductor coil is connected
Comparing it with general equation, E = E 0 sin ωt
to a battery of emf 12 V and internal resistance 4.0 Ω.
We get, What will be the current?
ω = 2πf = 314
Sol. Consider an L-C-R series circuit as shown below
314
or f= = 50 Hz R L C
2π
∴ Inductive reactance,
X L = ωL = 2 π f . L
= 314 × 0.01 = 3.14 Ω
1 1 24V
Capacitive reactance, X C = = = 127.3 Ω
ωC 314 × 25 × 10−6 where, R is the reactance of the inductor.
∴ Net reactance, X = X C − X L = (127.3 − 3.14) Ω = 124.16 Ω Maximum current will occur at series resonance.
Alternating Current 479

At series resonance, Z min = R and I max = 6A V0

Sol. The rms value of voltage across the source, Vrms =
V 24 2
⇒ I max = ⇒ 6= ⇒ R = 4Ω
Z min R Comparing the given equation with general equation,
Now, this inductor coil is connected with a battery of emf V0 = 100 2 and ω = 1000 rad s−1
12 V and internal resistance 4 Ω, so new circuit is
Also, R = 1000 Ω , C = 1 µF = 1 × 10−6F
4Ω L
and L = 2H
100 2
∴ Vrms = = 100 V
2

12 V 4Ω V rms V rms V rms

∴ I rms = = =
|Z | R + (X L − X C )2
2
 1 
2
In DC circuit, inductor offers zero resistance,
R 2 +  ωL − 
12  ωC 
∴ Current, I = = 1.5 A
4+4 100
=
2
Example 7.25 A coil of inductance 0.4 mH is connected to a  1 
capacitor of capacitance 400 pF. To what wavelength, is (1000)2 + 1000 × 2 − –6

 1000 × 1 × 10 
this circuit tuned?
Sol. Given, L = 0.4 mH = 0.4 × 10 −3 H, C = 400 pF = 4 × 10 −10 F = 0.0707 A
This is the condition of resonance. The current will be same everywhere in the circuit, therefore
∴ Resonant frequency, PD across resistor,
1 1 1 VR = I rms R = 0.0707 × 1000 = 70.7 V
f= = ×
2π LC 2 × 3.14 0.4 × 10 −3
× 4 × 10−10 PD across inductor,
VL = I rms X L = 0.0707 × 1000 × 2 = 141.4 V
107 and PD across capacitor,
= Hz
6.28 × 4 1
VC = I rms X C = 0.0707 × = 70.7 V
If the speed of electromagnetic wave is v then for tuning the 1 × 1000 × 10− 6
circuit, wavelength required would be
Note The rms voltages do not add directly as, VR + VL + VC = 282.8 V,
v 3 × 108ms−1
λ= = = 753.6 m which is not the source voltage 100 V. The reason is that these
f 107 voltages are not in phase and can be added by vector or by phasor
6.28 × 4 Hz algebra.

Example 7.26 A 200 km telephone wire has capacity of Example 7.28 Figure here, shows a series L-C -R circuit
0.014 µF km −1. If it carries an alternating current of connected to a variable frequency source of 230 V.
frequency 50 kHz, what should be the value of an L = 5.0 H, C = 80 µF and R = 40 Ω.
inductance required to be connected in series so that R
impedance is minimum?
Sol. Capacitance, C = 0.014 × 200 µF = 2.8 × 10−6F ε C
Frequency, f = 50 k Hz = 50 × 103 cycles s−1
The impedance will be minimum at resonant frequency, when L
applied frequency will be same as resonant frequency (f0 = f ).
(a) Determine the source frequency which drives the circuit in
1 1
The resonant frequency, f0 = ⇒ L= resonance.
2π LC 4π 2f02C (b) Obtain the impedance of the circuit and the amplitude of
1 current at the resonating frequency.
L= = 0.36 × 10−5 H
22 22 3 2 −6 (c) Determine the rms potential drops across the three elements
4× × × (50 × 10 ) × (2.8 × 10 ) of the circuit. Show that the potential drop across the L- C
7 7
combination is zero at the resonating frequency.
Example 7.27 Find the voltage across the various elements, Sol. (a) If ω 0 be the resonant angular frequency = source
i.e. resistance, capacitance and inductance which are in frequency at resonance, then
series and having values 1000 Ω, 1 µF and 2.0 H, 1 1
respectively. ω0 = = = 50 rad s−1
− 6
Given emf as, V =100 2 sin 1000 t V LC 5 × 80 × 10
480 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

ω0 50 Example 7.30
f0 = = = 7.96 Hz
2π 2 × 3.142 (a) In a series L-C-R circuit with an AC source, R = 300 Ω,
(b) At resonance, Z = R = 40 Ω C = 20 µF , L = 1.0 H , V0 = 50 2V and f = 50/π Hz.
V 230 Find (i) the rms current in the circuit and (ii) the rms voltage
I rms = rms = = 5.75 A across each element.
Z 40
(b) Consider the situation of the previous part. Find the average
V0 2 Vrms 2 × 230
and I0 = = = = 8.13 A electric field energy stored in the capacitor and the average
Z Z 40 magnetic field energy stored in the coil.
(c) The rms potential drop across R is given by Sol. (a) Consider the series L-C-R circuit as shown below
Vrms = I rms R = 5.75 × 40 = 230 V
The rms potential drop across L is given by R = 300 Ω L =1 H C = 20 µF
VL rms = I rms X L = I rms (ω 0L )
= 5.75 × 50 × 5 = 1437.5 V
The rms potential drop across C is given by
1 1
Vrms = I rms X C = I rms × = 5.75 ×
ω 0C 50 × 80 × 10−6 f = 50 Hz
π
= 1437.5 V
The rms potential drop across L-C is given by It is given that, V0 = 50 2 V
VLC = VL − VC = 1437.5 − 1437.5 = 0 50
and ω = 2 πf = 2 π × = 100 rad s−1
Example 7.29 A box P and a coil Q are connected is series π
with an AC source of variable frequency. The emf of the ∴ X L = ωL = 100 × 1 = 100 Ω
source is constant at 28V. The frequency is so adjusted that 1 1
the maximum current flows in P and Q. Find ∴ XC = = = 500 Ω
ωC 100 × 20 × 10−6
(a) impedance of P and Q at this frequency,
(b) voltage across P and Q. Therefore, Z = R 2 + (X C − X L )2

25
µF
= (300)2 + (500 − 100)2 = 500 Ω
C=—
3 16 Ω L =1.2 mH 12 Ω
V0 50 2
∴ Peak value of current I 0 = = = 01
. 2A
Box P Coil Q Z 500
I0 0.1 2
(i)∴ I rms = = = 0.1A
2 2
28V
(ii) rms voltage across each element is
Sol. Current is maximum, i.e. case of series resonance, VR = I rmsR = 0.1 × 300 = 30 V
1 1 VL = I rmsX L = 0.1 × 100 = 10 V
∴ ω0 = = = 104 rad s−1
LC 25 and VC = I rmsX C = 0.1 × 500 = 50V
1.2 × 10−3 × × 10−6
3 (b) The average electric field energy stored in capacitor is
At resonance, X C = X L given by
1 1
XC =
1
=
1
= 12 Ω = X L U C = CVC2 = × 20 × 10−6 × (50)2 = 25 mJ
ω 0C 104 × 25 × 10−6 2 2
3 Also, the average magnetic field energy stored in the
coil is given by
Resistance R1 and R 2 are in series, so R net = R1 + R 2 1 2 1
V 28 28 U L = L I rms . )2 = 5 mJ
= × 1 × (01
∴ I= = = = 1A 2 2
R1 + R 2 16 + 12 28
Example 7.31 A series L-C-R circuit containing a resistance
2 2 2
(a) ZP = (16) + (X C ) = (16) + (12) = 20 Ω 2 of 120 Ω has angular frequency 4 × 10 5 rads −1 . At resonance
the voltages across resistance and inductance are 60V and
ZQ = (12)2 + (X L )2 = (12)2 + (12)2 = 12 2 Ω 40V, respectively. Find the values of L and C. At what
angular frequency the current in the circuit lags the voltage
(b) VP = I ZP = 1 × 20 = 20 V
by π/4?
VQ = I ZQ = 1 × 12 2 = 12 2 V
Alternating Current 481

Sol. At resonance, X L − X C = 0 and Z = R = 120 Ω 1 R – j ωL

Y = = 2 + j ωC
(VR ) rms 60 1 Z R + ω 2L2
∴ I rms = = = A
R 120 2
R + j (ωCR 2 + ω 3L2C – ωL )
(V ) =
Also, I rms = L rms R 2 + ω 2L2
ωL
(VL ) rms 40 ∴ The magnitude of the admittance,
∴ L= =
ωI rms  1 R 2 + (ωC R 2 + ω 3L2C − ωL ) 2
( 4 × 105 )   1
 2 |Y | = =
Z R 2 + ω 2L2
= 2.0 × 10–4 H = 0.2 mH
1 1
The admittance will be minimum, when
The resonance frequency is given by, ω = or C = .
LC ω 2L ωC R 2 + ω 3L2C − ωL = 0
Substituting the values, we have
1 R2
1 or ω= − 2
C = = 3.125 × 10–8 F LC L
(4 × 10 ) (2.0 × 10–4 )
5 2

Current lags the voltage by π /4 or 45°, so It gives the condition of resonance and the corresponding
1 frequency,
ωL −
tan 45° = ωC
R ω 1 1 R2
f = = − 2
Substituting the values of L, C, R and tan 45°, we get 2π 2π LC L
ω = 8 ×105 rad s−1
is known as resonance frequency. At resonance frequency,
admittance is minimum or the impedance is maximum.
Parallel circuit (Rejector circuit) Thus, the parallel circuit does not allow this frequency
Let us consider an alternating source connected across an from the source to pass in the circuit. Due to this reason
inductance L in parallel with a capacitor C. the circuit with such a frequency is known as rejector
The resistance in series with the inductance is R and with circuit.
the capacitor is zero. Note If R = 0, resonance frequency is
1
same as resonance
(Every inductor in real world has some non-zero internal 2 π LC
frequency in series L-C-R circuit or acceptor circuit.
resistance while in case of a capacitor, it can be neglected).
L R At resonance, the reactive component of Y vanishes or Y
is real. The reciprocal of the admittance is called the
IL parallel resistor or the dynamic resistance. The
dynamic resistance is thus, reciprocal of the real part of
IC C the admittance.
R 2 + ω 2L2
I
∴ Dynamic resistance =
R
1 R2
Substituting, ω 2 = − 2 (resonance frequency)
V LC L
Fig. 7.31 A capacitor (C) is in parallel with series
L
combination of R and L We have, dynamic resistance =
CR
Let the instantaneous value of emf applied be V and the V0 V CR
corresponding currents are I , I L and I C . Then, ∴ Peak current through the supply = = 0
L / CR L
1 1
I = IL + IC ⇒ = + jωC V0
Z R + jωL The peak current through capacitor = = ωCV0 . The
1 1/ωC
is known as admittance (Y ). Admittance is defined as ratio of the peak current through capacitor and through
Z
the supply is known as Q-factor.
the reciprocal of the impedance. Its unit is mho.
Therefore, V0 ω C ωL
Thus, Q-factor = =
V0 CR /L R
482 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

This is basically the measure of current magnification. The V0

=− cos ωt = − (I 0 )L cos ωt
rejector circuit at resonance exhibits current magnification XL
of ωL /R , similar to the voltage magnification of the same
dV
ratio exhibited by the series acceptor circuit at resonance. and IC = = V0ω C cos ωt
dt
Fig. (a) shows the variation of current I with angular
frequency, ω in parallel LC circuit (i.e., R = 0) and Fig. (b) V0
= cos ωt = (I 0 )C cos ωt
shows the variation of impedance Z with ω . XC
I where, the reactance X L and X C are as defined.
|Z |
Example 7.34 AC voltage source (V, ω) is applied across a
parallel LC circuit as shown in the figure. Find the
impedance of the circuit and phase of current.
IC C
ω ω
(a) (b)
Fig. 7.32 For a parallel LC circuit (a) I versus ω (b) | Z | versus ω IL L

Note At resonance the current through the supply and voltage are in
phase, while the current through the capacitor leads the voltage IR R
by 90°.

Example 7.32 A capacitor of capacitance 250 pF is

connected in parallel with a choke coil having inductance of
1.6 × 10 –2 H and resistance 20 Ω. Calculate V,ω
(a) the resonance frequency and
Sol. Current through the resistor, IR = V /R , in phase with voltage,
(b) the circuit impedance at resonance.
Sol. (a) The resonance frequency of a rejector L-C-R circuit is Current through the inductor, IL = V /X L, lags voltage by π / 2,
given by, Current through the capacitor, IC = V /X C , leads voltage
by π /2.
1 1 R2
f= − 2
2π LC L IC
(IC − IL)
2
1 1 (20) ≡
= − O
2π (1.6 × 10−2 ) (250 × 10−12 ) (1.6 × 10−2 )2 IR I
V φ
= 7.96 × 104 Hz IL V
IR
(b) The circuit impedance at resonance is given by, V
L 1.6 × 10−2 Assuming, resultant current, I = [IR2 + (IC − IL )2]1/ 2
Z= = = 3.2 × 106 Ω
CR (250 × 10−12 ) (20) 1/ 2
V V  V  
2 2
V
Example 7.33 For the circuit shown in figure, find the ⇒ =   +  −  
Z  R   XC XL  
instantaneous current through each element.  
1/ 2
1 1 1  
2
 1
⇒ = 2 + −  
V = V0 sin ωt
C L Z R  XC XL  
R  
−1/ 2
1  1  
2
Impedance, Z =  2 + ωC −  
R  ωL  
Sol. The three current equations are, 
dV 1 1 1
dI
V = IR R , V = L L and = IC −
IC − IL X C X L
dt dt C Phase difference, tan φ = =
IR 1/R
For steady state, solutions of equations are,
  1 
V V φ = tan−1 R ωC − 
IR = = 0 sin ωt = (I 0 )R sin ωt
R R   ωL  
V V This means current leads the voltage.
IL = ∫ L dt = − ωL0 cos ωt
Alternating Current 483

Example 7.35 Find the current drawn from the source in each At resonance, X L = X C
of the circuits as given below 1
⇒ ωL =
(i) IL=0.6 A L ωC
1
⇒ ω = ω0 =
IL=0.4 A C LC
ω0 1
I ⇒ f0 = =
2π 2π LC
1
(ii) C =
1.0 A
2π (0.01) × 10−6

L = 1592 Hz
0.6 A
= 1.592 kHz
At f = f0 , impedance is minimum and equal to zero.
0.3 A R
At f < f0 , X C > X L , as frequency increases, impedance
decreases.
When f > f0 , X C < X L , as frequency increases, impedance
increases as shown below
Sol. (i) Current in inductor lags the voltage by π /2. Z
Current in capacitor leads the voltage by π /2 .
The phasor diagram can be drawn as

IC = 0.4 A

O f
I V I V fo
I = 0.2 A
IL = 0.6 A Example 7.37 Inductance (L), capacitance (C) and resistance
(R) are constained in a box. When 250V DC is applied to
By vector algebra, current from source = 0.2 A the terminals of the box, a current of 1.0A flows in the
(ii) Current in resistor is in phase with voltage. The phasor circuit. When an AC source of 250Vrms at 2250 rad s −1 is
diagram can be drawn as connected, a current of 1.25 Arms flows. It is observed that
the current rises with frequency and becomes maximum at
IC = 1.0 A 0.4 A I 4500 rad s −1. Find the values of L, C and R. Draw the
circuit diagram.
I
O
IR = 0.3 A
Sol. When DC source is applied, current = 1A
In DC circuit, inductor offers zero resistance and capacitor
IL = 0.6 A
0.3 A offers infinite resistance. Hence, R and C cannot be in series.
So, net current drawn from the source is V 250
I = DC ⇒ 1 = ⇒ R = 250 Ω
R R
i = (0.3)2 + (0.4)2 = 0.5 A
For AC source,
Example 7.36 An LC circuit (L = 0.01H , C = 1µF ) is V 250
impedance, Z = rms = = 200 Ω
connected to an AC source of variable frequency. If the I rms 1.25
frequency is varied from 1 kHz to 2 kHz, then show the As Z < R, R, L and C cannot be in series.
consequent variation of impedance by a rough sketch. R cannot be in series with C as explained earlier.
C
As current is maximum at resonance and current increases
A with frequency, so R cannot be in series with L. In fact, L and
C must be in series.
L
I1 R=250 Ω

I2 C
Sol. Impedance (Z) of the circuit is
L
1 1 1
= −
Z XC XL
484 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

250 V
I1 =
= 1 A, in phase with voltage ∴ Z′ =
250 I2
Impedance of lower branch, 1 250 ω 2LC − 1 1000
 1  ⇒ ωL − = ⇒ =
Z ′ =  ωL −  ωC 0.75 ωC 3
 ωC 
(2250)2LC − 1 1000
250 ⇒ = ...(i)
⇒ I2 = 2250 C 3
Z′
The phase difference between I 2 and voltage is π /2. At resonance, I 2 is maximum, Z ′ is minimum
The angle between I1 and I 2 is 90°. 1
⇒ Z ′ = ωL − =0
ωC
I2 1
⇒ = ω 2 = ωr2 = (4500)2 ...(ii)
I LC
Solving Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get
2
 2250 
  −1
I1  4500 1000
=
2250 C 3
I12 + I 22 = I 2 ⇒ (1)2 + I 22 = (1.25)2 3/4 3 1
−6
⇒ C = × = 10 F = 1µF ⇒ LC =
⇒ I 2 = (1.25)2 − (1)2 = 0.562 2250 1000 (4500)2
⇒ I 2 = 0.75 A 1 100 4
⇒ L= −6
= = H
V 2
(4500) × 10 45 × 45 81
⇒ I2 =
Z′ ∴ R = 250 Ω, L = 4 / 81 H, C = 1 µF

CHECK POINT 7.2

1. Ohm’s law expressed as E = IR voltage leads the current by 45°. The inductance of the coil
(a) can never be applied to AC is
1 1 1 1
(b) applies to AC in the same manner as to DC (a) (b) (c) (d)
(c) always applies to AC circuits when Z is substituted for R 10 π 20 π 40 π 60 π
(d) tells us that E eff = 0.707 (Emax) for AC 8. Two inductors L1 and L2 are connected in parallel and a
2. An alternating current of rms value 10 A is passed through time varying current flows as shown in figure. Then the
a 12 Ω resistor. The maximum potential difference across ratio of currents I 1 / I 2 at any time t is
the resistor is L1
I1
(a) 20 V (b) 90 V
(c) 169.70 V (d) None of these
3. The reactance of a 25 µF capacitor at the AC frequency of I I
4000 Hz is
5 5 L2
(a) Ω (b) Ω (c) 10 Ω (d) 10 Ω I2
π π
L1 L2
4. The capacity of a pure capacitor is 1 F. In DC circuits, its (a) L1 / L2 (b) L2 / L1 (c) (d)
effective resistance will be (l1 + l 2)2 (l1 + l 2)2
(a) zero (b) infinite (c) 1 Ω (d) 1/2 Ω
9. An inductance and a resistance are connected in series with
5. In an AC circuit, an alternating voltage e = 200 2 sin100 t V an AC potential. In this circuit,
is connected to a capacitor of capacity1 µF. The rms value of (a) the current and the potential difference across the
the current in the circuit is resistance lead the PD across the inductance by phase
(a) 100 mA (b) 200 mA (c) 20 mA (d) 10 mA angle π/ 2
(b) the current and the potential difference across the
6. The reactance of a coil when used in the domestic AC power resistance lag behind PD across the inductance by an
supply (220 V, 50 cycles per second) is 50 Ω. The angle π/ 2
inductance of the coil is nearly (c) the current and the potential difference across the
(a) 2.2 H (b) 1.6 H resistance lag behind the PD across the inductance by an
(c) 0.22 H (d) 0.16 H angle π
(d) the PD across the resistance lags behind the PD across the
7. An inductive coil has a resistance of 100 Ω. When an AC inductance by an angle π/ 2but the current in the
signal of frequency 1000 Hz is applied to the coil, the resistance leads the PD across inductance by π/ 2
Alternating Current 485

10. In L-R circuit, resistance is 8 Ω and inductive reactance is 18. With increase in frequency of an AC supply, the impedance
6 Ω, then impedance is of an L-C-R series circuit
(a) 2 Ω (b) 14 Ω (c) 4 Ω (d) 10 Ω (a) remains constant
π (b) increases
11. In an AC circuit, the current lags behind the voltage by . (c) decreases
3
The components in the circuit may be (d) decreases at first, becomes minimum and then increases
(a) R and L (b) L and C (c) R and C (d) only R 19. A sinusoidal voltage of peak value 300 V and an angular
12. In an AC circuit, a resistance R is connected in series with frequency ω = 400 rads −1 is applied to series L-C-R circuit, in
an inductance L. If phase angle between voltage and which R = 3 Ω, L = 20 mH and C = 625µF. The peak value of
current be 45°, the value of inductive reactance will be current in the circuit is
(a) R /4 (a) 30 2A (b) 60A
(b) R /2 (c)100A (d) 60 2A
(c) R
(d) cannot be found with the given data 20. The value of current at resonance in a series L-C-R circuit is
affected by the value of
13. In a circuit containing R and L, as the frequency of the
(a) R only (b) C only
impressed AC increases, the impedance of the circuit
(c) L only (d) L,C and R
(a) decreases
(b) increases 21. An L-C-R series circuit is connected to a source of
(c) remains unchanged alternating current. At resonance the applied voltage and
(d) first increases and then decreases current flowing through the circuit will have a phase
difference of
14. An AC voltage is applied to a resistance R and an inductor L (a) zero (b) π/ 4
in series. If R and the inductive reactance are both equal to (c) π/ 2 (d) π
3 Ω, the phase difference (in rad) between the applied
voltage and the current in the circuit is 22. A series L-C-R circuit is operated at resonance. Then
(a) π / 4 (b) π / 2 (c) zero (d) π / 6 (a) voltage across R is minimum
(b) impedance is minimum
15. In an L-R circuit, the value of L is 
0.4
 H and the value of R (c) impedance is maximum
 π  (d) current amplitude is minimum
is 30 Ω. If in the circuit, an alternating emf of
200 V at 50 cycle s −1 is connected, the impedance of the 23. An L-C-R series circuit is under resonance. If I m is current
circuit and current will be amplitude, Vm is voltage amplitude, R is the resistance, Z is
(a) 11.4 Ω ,17.5 A (b) 30.7 Ω , 6.5 A the impedance, X L is the inductive reactance and X C is the
(c) 40.4 Ω , 5 A (d) 50 Ω , 4 A capacitive reactance, then
Vm Vm
16. The instantaneous values of current and voltage in an AC (a) I m = (b) I m =
Z XL
circuit are given by Vm Vm
(c) I m = (d) I m =
 π
I = 6sin 100 πt +  XC R
 4
24. In an L-C-R series AC circuit, at resonance
 π
V = 5sin 100 πt −  , then (a) the capacitive reactance is more than the inductive
 4 (b) the capacitive reactance equals the inductive reactance
(a) current leads the voltage by 45° (c) the capacitive reactance is less than the inductive reactance
(b) voltage leads the current by 90° (d) the current is minimum
(c) current leads the voltage by 90° 25. An L-C-R series circuit connected to a source E, is at
(d) voltage leads the current by 45° resonance. Then,
17. In an L-C-R series circuit the AC voltage across R, L and C (a) the voltage across R is zero
come out as 10V, 10V and 20V, respectively. The voltage (b) the voltage across R equals applied voltage
across the entire combination will be (c) the voltage across C is zero
(a) 30 V (b) 10 3 V (c) 20 V (d) 10 2 V (d) the voltage across C equals applied voltage
486 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

POWER IN AN AC CIRCUIT
For electric circuits power is defined as the product of (ii) AC circuit containing L only
voltage and current. π π
φ= or Pav = Vrms I rms cos ⇒ Pav = 0
In AC circuit, both emf and current changes continuously 2 2
with respect to time, so in AC circuit, we have to calculate So, average power in L is zero.
average power in complete cycle (0 → T ).
(iii) AC circuit containing C only
Hence, average power is defined as the average of π π
instantaneous power in an AC circuit over a full cycle. Its φ= or Pav = Vrms I rms cos = 0
SI unit is watt. 2 2
Instantaneous power, P = VI So, average power in C is zero.
[QV = V0 sinωt, I = I 0 sin(ωt + φ )] (iv) AC circuit containing L and R
Here,V and I are instantaneous voltage and current, ωL R
tan φ = ⇒ cos φ =
respectively. R R + ω 2L2
2

Total work done or energy spent in maintaining current R

over one full cycle is given by ⇒ Pav = VrmsI rms ⋅
R 2 + ω 2L2
V I T
W = 0 0 cosφ (v) AC circuit containing C and R
2
Thus, average power associated in AC circuit is given by 1 / ωC
tan φ =
W V0 I 0 R
Pav = = cosφ R
T 2 ⇒ cos φ =
V I R 2 + 1 / ω 2C 2
Pav = 0 ⋅ 0 cosφ
2 2 R
⇒ Pav = VrmsI rms
Pav = Vrms I rms cosφ R + 1/ ω 2C 2
2

(vi) AC circuit containing L, C and R

Here, cosφ is power factor.
ωL − 1 / ωC
Power factor is defined as cosine of the angle of lag or lead tan φ =
(i.e. cosφ). It is also defined as the ratio of resistance and R
R
impedance. ⇒ cos φ =
R + (ωL − 1 / ωC ) 2
2

Pav True power R

cosφ = = ⇒ Pav = VrmsI rms ⋅
Vrms I rms Apparent power 2
2  1 
R +  ωL − 
 ωC 
It is said to be leading, if current leads voltage, lagging, if
current lags voltage. Thus, a power factor of 0.5 lagging
means current lags the voltage by 60° (as Half power points in series L-C-R circuit
cos −1 (0.5) = 60 ° ). The values of ω at which the power input is half of its
maximum value are called half power points.
The product ofV rms and I rms gives the apparent power (or
At these points,
virtual power). While the true power is obtained by
Pmax
multiplying the apparent power by the power factor cosφ.
Thus, P Pmax
P = ——
Apparent power = V rms × I rms 2

and true power = apparent power × power factor ω1 ω0 ω2 v

Special cases Fig. 7.33 Half power points in series L-C-R circuit
(i) AC circuit containing R only
1  2∆ω   1 
Here, φ = 0 °, Pav = VrmsI rms cos 0 ° ω = ω 0 ± ∆ω = ω 0 ±   ω 0 = ω 0 1 ± 
2  ω0   2Q 
⇒ Pav = VrmsI rms [maximum]
Alternating Current 487

1 Example 7.41 A 100 Ω resistor is connected to a 220 V,

The amplitude of the current falls by a factor of and 50 Hz AC supply.
2
(i) What is the rms value of current in the circuit?
hence, the power (P ∝ I 2 ) goes down by half.
(ii) What is the net power consumed over a full cycle?
The separation between these two half power points is
ω Sol. (i) R rms value of current in the circuit,
2∆ ω = 0 . This separation is called the full-width at half V 220
Q Irms = rms = = 2.2 A
R 100
1
maximum and is th fraction of the resonant frequency. (ii) We know that, the power dissipated in an AC circuit is
Q given by P = Vrms Irms cos φ
Example 7.38 An iron cored coil is connected in series with where, φ is the phase difference between current and
an electric bulb, with an AC source, as shown in figure. As voltage.
the iron piece is taken out of the coil, how will the brightness In a circuit containing resistor only, φ = 0° , thus
of bulb change? cos φ = cos 0° = 1
∴ P = Vrms Irms = 220 × 2.2 = 484 W

Example 7.42 A series L-C-R circuit is connected across an

 π
AC source E = 10 sin 100πt − . Current from the supply
 6
 π
is I = 2 sin 100πt + , what is the average power
Sol. As the iron rod is taken out of the coil, the self-inductance  12
of the coil decreases, the impedance of circuit decreases, dissipated?
hence current increases. So, power consumed (and hence Sol. Phase difference between voltage and current,
brightness of bulb) by bulb increases.
π  π π
φ= − −  =
Example 7.39 A light bulb has the rating 200W, 220V. Find 12  6  4
(i) resistance of the bulb filament and (ii) rms value of
1
current flowing through the filament. ⇒ Power factor = cos φ =
Sol. (i) Resistance of the bulb, 2

V 2 220 × 220 22 × 22 Average power dissipated,

R= = = = 242 Ω V I
P 200 2 = m m cos φ
P 200 10 2
(ii) The rms value of current = = = A = 0.9 A 10 × 2 1
V 220 11 = × =5 2W
2 2
Example 7.40 A series L-C -R circuit with R = 20 Ω,
L = 15
. H and C = 35 µF is connected to a variable Example 7.43 An AC circuit containing 800 mH inductor and
frequency 200 V, AC supply. When the frequency of the a 60 µF capacitor is in series with 15 Ω resistance. They are
supply equals the natural frequency of the circuit, what is connected to 230 V, 50 Hz AC supply. Obtain average
the average power transferred to the circuit in one complete power transferred to each element and total power absorbed.
cycle?
Sol. Reactance of the inductor,
Sol. When the frequency of the supply equals the natural X L = ωL = 2πfL = 2 × 3.14 × 50 × 800 × 10−3 = 251.2 Ω
frequency of the circuit, the circuit is said to be in resonance.
At resonance, Capacitive reactance,
Z = R = 20 Ω 1 1
Since, the L-C-R circuit is resistive, so the phase angle XC = =
ωC 2πfC
between the current and voltage is zero.
φ = 0° 1
i.e. = = 53.07 Ω
Erms 200 2 × 3.14 × 50 × 60 × 10−6
and Irms = = = 10 A
Z 20 ∴ Impedance, Z = R 2 + (X L − X C )2
P = average power transferred per cycle.
= 152 + (251.2 − 53.07)2
∴ P = Irms Erms cos 0°
= 10 × 200 = 2000 W ⇒ Z = 198.7 Ω
V 230
= 2.0 kW ∴ I rms = rms = = 1.157 A
Z 198.7
488 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

Note that the inductor and capacitor do not consume power Hence, Z =R
over a cycle. V 200
∴ I rms = rms = = 2A
Now, average power dissipated in the resistor, Z 100
2
= I rms ⋅ R = (1.157)2 × 15 = 20.07 W Power dissipated P = Vrms I rms cos φ
Total power consumed = Vrms ⋅ I rms ⋅ cos φ At resonance, current and voltage are in phase or φ = 0°
R ∴ P = (200) (2) (1) = 400 W
= Vrms ⋅ I rms ⋅
Z Example 7.46 A solenoid with inductance L = 7 mH and
230 × 1.157 × 15 active resistance R = 44 Ω is first connected to a source of
= = 20.08 W
198.7 direct voltageV0 and then to source of sinusoidal voltage
Note that the total power consumed always is same as that with effective valueV = V0 . At what frequency of the
consumed in resistor. oscillator will the power consumed by the solenoid be η = 5.0
times less than in the former case?
Example 7.44 A 60 cycle AC circuit has a resistance of
200 Ω and inductor of 100 mH. What is the power factor? Sol. When a solenoid is connected to a source of direct voltage,V0
What capacitance placed in the circuit will make the power R = 44 Ω L = 7 mH
factor unity ?
Sol. Z = R 2 + (ωL )2
= (200 ) 2 + (2π × 60 × 100 × 10 −3 ) 2 = 203.52 Ω
V0
Z
XL= ω L
V02
θ Power consumed, P1 =
R R
R 200 When it is connected to a sinusoidal voltage, effective
Power factor, cos φ = = = 0.983 impedance comes into role.
Z 203.52
R L
Now, for the power factor to be unity, φ = 0 that means
1
X L = X C or ωL =
ωC
1 1
∴ C = 2 = Vrms = V0, f
ω L (2π × 60)2 × 100 × 10−3
∴ C = 70.36 µF ∴ Z = R 2 + X L2
Example 7.45 An L-C-R series circuit with 100 Ω resistance Now, power consumed will be
is connected to an AC source of 200V and angular
V0 R V02 R
frequency 300 rads −1. When only the capacitance is P2 = Vrms I rms cos φ = V0 ⋅ ⋅ = 2
removed, the current lags behind the voltage by 60°. When Z Z Z
only the inductance is removed, the current leads the voltage P1
by 60°. Calculate the current and the power dissipated in the Given, P2 =
η
L-C-R circuit.
Sol. When capacitance is removed, V02R V02
⇒ =
X Z 2
ηR
tan φ = L
R ⇒ ηR 2 = Z 2 = R 2 + X L2
XL
or tan 60° = ⇒ X L2 = (η − 1) R 2
R
∴ XL = 3 R …(i) ⇒ (2πf L )2 = (η − 1) R 2

When inductance is removed, R

∴ Frequency of the oscillator, f = η−1
X X 2 πL
tan φ = C or tan 60° = C 44
R R = 5 −1
22
∴ XC = 3 R …(ii) 2× × 7 × 10−3
7
From Eqs. (i) and (ii) we see that, X C = X L
So, the L-C-R circuit is in resonance. = 2 × 103 Hz = 2 kHz
Alternating Current 489

Example 7.47 Consider the following R-L-C circuit in which Sol. Coil
R = 12 Ω, X L = 24 Ω, X C = 8 Ω. The emf of source is
R =160 Ω R0 L
given byV = 10 sin (100πt )V .
(i) Find the energy dissipated in 10 min.
80 V 180 V
(ii) If resistance is removed from the circuit and value of
inductance is doubled, express variation of current with time
t in the new circuit.
220V
R =12 Ω XL = 24 Ω XC = 8 Ω Vr 80 1
Current in the circuit, I rms = = = A
R 160 2
R0
Now, VR 0 = I rmsR 0 =
2
XL
V0 =10 V and VL = I rmsX L =
2
Sol. (i) Impedance,
⇒ ( R + VR 0 )2 + VL2 = (220)2
V
2 2 2 2
Z = R + (X L − X C ) = (12) + (24 − 8) = 20 Ω 2 2
 R0  XL  2
R 12 3 ⇒  80 +  +   = (220) …(i)
cos φ = = =  2  2 
Z 20 5
Also, VR20 + VL2 = (180)2
Power consumed,
2 2
1 1 V R  X 
P = V0 I 0 cos φ = V0 ⋅ 0 cos φ ⇒  0  +  L  = (180)2 …(ii)
2 2 Z 2  2 
1 (10)2 3 Subtracting Eq. (ii) from Eq. (i), we get
= × = 1.5 W 2 2
2 (20) 5  R0 R0 2 2
Energy dissipated, E = Pt = (1.5) (10 × 60) = 900 J  80 +  −   = (220) − (180)
 2  2
(ii)
X L′ = 2XL = 48 Ω XC = 8 Ω ⇒ (80 + R 0 )(80) = (400)(40)
⇒ R 0 = 120 Ω
Power consumed in coil,
2
2  1
P = I rms R 0 =   × 120 = 30 W
V0 = 10 V  2
Impedance, Z = X L′ − X C = 48 − 8 = 40 Ω Example 7.49 A current of 4 A flows in a coil when
V 10 1 connected to a 12V DC source. If the same coil is connected
∴ Current, I 0 = 0 = = A
Z 40 4 to a 12V, 50 rads −1 AC source, a current of 2.4 A flows in
V = VL −VC the circuit. Determine the inductance of the coil. Also find
VL the power developed in the circuit, if a 2500 µF capacitor is
connected in series with the coil.
O I Sol. (i) A coil consists of an inductance (L) and a resistance (R).
In DC, only resistance is effective. Hence,
VC I V 12
R= = =3Ω
I 4
Current lags the voltage by π /2. V Vrms
In AC, I rms = rms =
1 Z R + ω 2L2
2
I = I 0 sin (ωt − π / 2) = sin (100πt − π / 2) A
4
1 Vrms  
2
2 2
Example 7.48 A series circuit consisting of an inductance free ∴ L = 2   −R 
resistance R = 0.16 k Ω and a coil with active resistance is ω  I rms  

connected to the mains with effective voltageV = 220V . 2
Find the heat power generated in the coil, if the effective 1 Vrms  2
∴ L=   −R
voltage values across the resistance R and the coil are equal ω  I rms 
toV1 = 80V andV2 = 180V , respectively.
490 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

V0 V
Substituting the values, we get Now, we have, (IR1 )0 = , (I X1 )0 = 0
R1 X1
2
1  12  2
L=   − (3) = 0.08 H
50  2.4 (IR1)0
V
(ii) When capacitor is connected to the circuit, the φ′
impedance is, Z = R 2 + (X L − X C )2
Here, R =3Ω
(IX1)0
X L = ωL = (50) (0.08) = 4 Ω
1 1
and XC = = =8Ω 2 2
ωC (50) ( 2500 × 10–6 ) V  V 
∴ I 0 = (IR1 )20 + (I X1 )20 =  0  +  0 
∴ Z = (3)2 + (4 – 8)2 = 5 Ω  R1   X1 
Now, P = Vrms I rms cos φ V0 1 1 1
2
⇒ = V0 2 + 2 ⇒ Z = =5 K (i)
V R Vrms  Z R1 X1 1 1
= Vrms × rms × =  ×R +
Z Z  Z  R12 X12
2
12 (I X1 )0 V0 /X1 R1 4
Substituting the values, we get P =   × 3 tan φ ′ = = = = tan φ = ...(ii)
 5 (IR1 )0 V0 /R1 X1 3
= 17.28 W 3
Putting X1 = R1 in Eq. (i)
4
Example 7.50 The series and parallel circuits shown in figure 1 1 1
have the same impedance and the same power factor. If ⇒ + =
R = 3 Ω and X = 4 Ω, find the values of R1 and X1. Also, R12  3  2 52
 R1
find the impedance and power factor. 4 
1  16 1
⇒ 2 
1+  =
R R1  9  25
1 9
⇒ 2
=
R1 X1 R1 (25)2
25
⇒ R1 = Ω
X 3
3 25
⇒ X1 = R1 = Ω
(a) (b) 4 4

Sol.
Wattless current
R = 3Ω The current which consumes no power for its maintainance
in the circuit is called wattless current or idle current.
V0 or
If the resistance in an AC circuit is zero, its power factor
X = 4Ω
will be zero. Although the current flows in the circuit, yet
the average power remains zero, i.e. there is no energy
dissipation in the circuit. Such a circuit is called the
Impedance, Z = R 2 + X 2 = 5 Ω wattless circuit and the current flowing is called the
R 3 wattless current.
Power factor, cos φ = = ⇒ φ = cos−1(0.6) If the circuit contains either inductance or capacitance
Z 5
X 4 only, then phase difference between current and voltage is
⇒ tan φ = = 90°, i.e. φ = 90 °. The average power in such a circuit is
R 3
IR IX1
Pav = Vrms × I rms × cosφ
1
= Vrms × I rms × cos 90 ° = 0
V0 R1 X1 The concept of wattless current is similar to that of a
frictionless pendulum, where the total work done by
gravity upon the pendulum in a cycle is zero.
Alternating Current 491

Example 7.51 A charged 30 µF capacitor is connected to a

L-C oscillations 27 mH inductor. What is the angular frequency of free
When a charged capacitor is allowed to discharge through oscillations of the circuit?
a non-resistive inductor, electrical oscillations of constant Sol. Angular frequency of free oscillations of L-C oscillations is
amplitude and frequency are produced. These oscillations 1 1
are called L-C oscillations. ω= =
LC 27 × 10 × 30 × 10−6
− 3

Working = 1.11 × 103 rad s−1

When a capacitor is supplied with an AC current,
it gets charged. Example 7.52 A radio can tune over the frequency range of a
portion of MW broadcast band (800 kHz to 1200 kHz). If
C C its L-C circuit has an effective inductance of 200 µH, what
must be the range of its variable capacitor?
I=0 I max Sol. For tuning, the natural frequency, i.e. the frequency of
L
L free oscillations of the LC circuit should be equal to the
frequency of the radiowave. Now for
Completely 1
electrical Completely
f= , we get
energy 2π LC
magnetic energy
(a) (b) 1 1
f1 = or C1 =
Fig. 7.34 2π LC1 4π 2Lf12
When this charged capacitor is connected with an 1
or C1 =
inductor, current flows through inductor, giving rise to 4 × 9.87 × 2 × 10−4 × (8 × 105 )2
magnetic flux, hence induced emf is produced in the = 197.8 × 10−12 F
circuit. Due to this, the charge (or energy) on the capacitor
= 197.8 pF
decreases and an equivalent amount of energy is stored in
1 1
the inductor in the form of magnetic field. When the Similarly, C 2 = =
discharging of the capacitor completes, current and 4π Lf2 4 × 9.87 × 2 × 10−4 × (12 × 105 )2
2 2

magnetic flux linked with L starts decreasing. or C 2 = 87.95 × 10−12 F

Therefore, an induced emf is produced which recharges = 87.95 pF
the capacitor in opposite direction. This process of
charging and discharging of capacitor is repeated and Example 7.53 In an L-C circuit L = 33
. H and C = 840 pF .
energy taken once from source keeps on oscillating At t = 0 charge on the capacitor is 105µC and maximum.
between C and L. Compute the following quantities at t = 2 ms.
(i) The energy stored in the capacitor.
The equation of LC oscillation is given by,
(ii) The total energy in the circuit.
d 2q 1
2
+ q =0 (iii) The energy stored in the inductor.
dt LC Also, write the equation for the variation of current in the
inductor with time.
where, q = q 0 cos (ωt + φ )
And the charge oscillates with a frequency, Sol. Given, L = 3.3 H , C = 840 × 10−12 F
ω 1 and q 0 = 105 × 10−6 C
ν= =
2π 2π LC The angular frequency of L-C oscillations is,
The L-C oscillations discussed above are not realistic for 1 1
ω= = = 1.9 × 104 rads −1
the two reasons. LC 3.3 × 840 × 10 −12

(i) Every inductor has some resistance. The effect of Charge stored in the capacitor at time t, would be, q = q 0 cos ω t
this resistance will introduce a damping effect on the (i) At t = 2 × 10−3 s
charge and current in the circuit and the oscillations
finally die away. q = (105 × 10−6 ) cos(1.9 × 104 × 2 × 10−3 )
(ii) Even, if the resistance is zero, the total energy of the = 100.3 × 10−6 C
system would not remain constant. It is radiated ∴ Energy stored in the capacitor,
away from the system in the form of electromagnetic 1 q 2 (100.3 × 10−6 )2
waves. In fact, radio and TV transmitters depend on UC = = = 6.0 J
2 C 2 × 840 × 10−12
this radiation.
492 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

(ii) Total energy in the circuit, Q 02

−6 2
Total energy is . So, when the total energy is shared
1 q 02
(105 × 10 ) 2C
U = = = 6.56 J
2 C 2 × 840 × 10−12 equally between the capacitor and inductor, the energy stored
(iii) Energy stored in inductor in the given time in the capacitor that time will be half of the total energy
= total energy in circuit − energy stored in capacitor 1  Q2 
=  0 .
2 2C 
= (6.56 − 6.0) J = 0.56 J
Also, I = I 0 sin ωt q 2 1  Q 02 
Let the charge at that time be q, then =  .
 q 2C 2  2 C 
where, I 0 = q 0 × ω QI = 
 t Q0
= 105 × 10−6 × 1.9 × 104 = 2A ∴ q=±
2
∴ I = (2A) sin ωt Q0
Also, q = Q 0 cos ω t or ± = Q 0 cos ω t
Example 7.54 An L-C circuit contains 20 mH inductor and a 2
50 µF capacitor with an initial charge of 10 mC. The π 3π 5π
∴ ωt = , , etc.
resistance of the circuit is negligible. Let the instant, the 4 4 4
circuit is closed be t = 0. What is the total energy stored π π T T
initially? At what times is the total energy shared equally ∴ t= = =
4 ω 4 (2π ) 8
between the inductor and the capacitor?
3π 3 T
Sol. Total energy stored initially means energy stored in the or t= = and so on
4ω 8
Q 02 (10 × 10−3 )2 T 3T 5T
capacitor = = =1J So, energy will be equally shared at t = , , etc.
2 C 2 × 50 × 10−6 8 8 8

CHECK POINT 7.3

1. An electric heater rated 220 V and 550 W is connected to AC 6. The impedance of a circuit consists of 3 Ω resistance and
mains. The current drawn by it is 4 Ω reactance. The power factor of the circuit is
(a) 0.8 A (b) 2.5 A (a) 0.4 (b) 0.6
(c) 0.4 A (d) 1.25 A (c) 0.8 (d) 1.0
2. In an AC circuit, the potential difference V and current I are 7. Power dissipated in an L-C-R series circuit connected to an
given respectively by AC source of emf ε is
2
V = 100sin(100 t)V ε2 R2 +  Lω −
1 

π
2
εR  Cω 
 (a) (b)
and I = 100sin 100t +  mA  2 
 3 1  
2 R
 R +  Lω −  

 Cω 
The power dissipated in the circuit will be
(a)104 W (b) 10 W (c) 2.5 W (d) 5 W  1  
2
ε2  R2 +  Lω −  
 Cω   ε2R
(c) 
3. In an AC circuit, the power factor (d)
(a) is zero when the circuit contains an ideal resistance only R 2
R2 +  Lω +
1 
(b) is unity when the circuit contains an ideal resistance only 
 Cω 
(c) is infinity when the circuit contains an ideal inductance
only 8. The energy stored in an inductor of self-inductance L henry
(d) None of the above carrying a current of I is
1 1
4. The average power dissipated in a pure inductor of (a) L2 I (b) L I 2
inductance L, when an AC current is passing through it, is 2 2
1 2 1 2 (c) L I 2 (d) L2 I
(a) LI (b) LI (c) 2LI 2 (d) zero
2 4 9. In an inductor of inductance L = 100 mH, a current of
5. The average power dissipated in a pure capacitance C in an I = 10 A is flowing. The energy stored in the inductor is
AC circuit is (a) 5 J (b) 10 J
1 1
(a) CV (b) zero (c) (d) CV 2 (c) 100 J (d) 1000 J
CV 2 4
Alternating Current 493

CHOKE COIL cosφ =

R
Choke coil is a device having high inductance and R + XL2
2

negligible resistance. It is used in AC circuits for the where, XL is the inductive reactance or effective
purpose of adjusting current to any required value in such opposition of the choke coil. It is given by XL = L ω
a way that power loss in a circuit can be minimised. It is
used in fluorescent tubes. R
∴ cosφ ≈ ≈0 (as R << Lω )
Lω
Principle As R << Lω, cosφ is very small. Thus, the power absorbed
It is based on the principle of wattless current. by the coilVrms I rms cosφ is very small.
On account of its large impedance, Z = R 2 + ω 2L2 , the
Construction current passing through the coil is very small. In actual
Iron core practice choke coil is equivalent to a R-L circuit. For an
ideal choke coil R = 0, therefore no electric energy is
wasted, i.e. average power, P = 0.
Starter
The only loss of energy is due to hysteresis in the iron
Coil of Cu wire core, which is much less than the loss of energy in the
Choke resistance that can also reduce the current, if placed
Choke coil coil
(a) (b)
instead of the choke coil.
Example 7.55 An AC circuit consists of a 220 Ω resistance
Fig. 7.35 and a 0.7 H choke. Find the power absorbed from 220V and
50 Hz source connected in this circuit, if the resistance and
It consists of a copper coil wound over a soft iron choke are joined,
laminated core. Thick copper wire is used in order to (i) in series (ii) in parallel.
reduce the resistance (R ) of the circuit whereas to improve Sol. (i) In series the impedance of the circuit,
the inductance (L ) of the coil, soft iron is used. The choke
coil got its name because it is used to choke or reduce the Z = R 2 + ω 2L2 = R 2 + ( 2π fL )2
current in the circuit.
= (220)2 + (2 × 3.14 × 50 × 0.7)2 = 311 Ω
Types of choke coil Vrms 220
Choke coil for different frequencies are made by using ∴ I rms = = = 0.707 A
Z 311
different substances in their core.
(i) To reduce low frequency alternating currents, choke
coils with laminated soft iron cores are used. These Z
are called af choke coils. XL
(ii) To reduce high frequency alternating currents, choke
coils with air cores are used. These are called rf φ
choke coils. R

Theory and from the impedance diagram drawn above,

R 220
Let us consider a choke coil of large inductance L and low cos φ = = = 0.707
Z 311
resistance R as shown in Fig. 7.36. The power factor for
∴ The power absorbed in the circuit,
such a coil is given by
P = V rms I rms cos φ
L R = ( 220) (0.707) (0.707) W
= 109.97 W
(ii) When the resistance and choke are in parallel, the
entire power is absorbed in resistance, as the choke
(having zero resistance) absorbs no power.
V = V0 sin ωt
V2 ( 220) 2
Fig. 7.36 AC voltage applied to a choke coil ∴ P = rms = = 220 W
R 220
494 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

Example 7.56 A choke coil is needed to operate an arc lamp

at 160V (rms) and 50 Hz. The lamp has an effective
Construction
resistance of 5 Ω when running at 10 A (rms ). Calculate the It consists of two coils, primary coil (P ) and secondary coil
inductance of the choke coil. If the same arc lamp is to be (S ), insulated from each other wounded on soft iron core.
operated on 160V (DC ), what additional resistance is Often the primary coil is the input coil and secondary coil
required? Compare the power loses in both cases. is the output coil. These soft iron cores are laminated to
( rms )R = (irms ) (R ) = 10 × 5 = 50 V
Sol. For lamp, V minimise eddy current loss.
Laminated
core
L R

choke lamp Output

Input
AC secondary
VL VR source s primary
coil (S)
coil (P)

V = V0 sin ωt
Fig. 7.37 Construction of a transformer
In series,
( rms )2 = V
V ( rms )R2 + V
( rms )L2

∴ ( rms )2 – (Vrms )R2

( rms )L = V
V
Theory and working
The value of the emf induced in secondary coil due to
= (160)2 – (50)2 = 152 V alternating voltage applied to primary depends on the
As ( rms )L = (I rms )X L = (I rms ) (2πfL )
V number of turns in the secondary. We consider an ideal
(Vrms )L transformer in which the primary has negligible
∴ L= resistance and all the flux in the core links both primary
(2πf ) (I rms )
and secondary windings.
152
Substituting the values, L = Let φ be the flux in each turn in the core at time t, due to
( 2π ) (50) (10)
current in the primary, when a voltageVP is applied to it.
= 4.84 × 10–2 H Then, the induced emf or voltage ε S , in the secondary
Now, when the lamp is operated at 160 V (DC) and instead of having N S turns is
choke let an additional resistance R ′ is put in series with it dφ
then, V = I (R + R ′ ) ε S = − NS …(i)
dt
or 160 = 10 (5 + R ′ )
∴ R ′ = 11 Ω The alternating flux φ also induces an emf, called back emf
In case of AC, as the choke has no resistance, power loss in in the primary. This is
choke is zero. dφ
ε P = − NP …(ii)
In case of DC, the power loss in additional resistance R ′ is, dt
P = I 2R ′ = (10)2 (11) = 1100 W But ε P = VP . If this were not so, the primary current would
be infinite, since the primary has zero resistance
Transformer (as considered). If the secondary is an open circuit or the
It is a device which is used to change the alternating current taken from it is small, then to a good approximation.
voltage. The transformers are of the following types ε S = VS
where,VS is the voltage across the secondary.
Step-up transformer
It is used to increase the AC voltages. Therefore, Eqs. (i ) and (ii ) can be written as,
dφ
Step-down transformer VS = − N S …(iii)
It is used to decrease the AC voltages. dt
dφ
Principle VP = − NP …(iv)
dt
Transformer is based on the principle of mutual induction,
From Eqs. (iii) and (iv), we have
i.e. whenever an amount of magnetic flux linked with a
coil changes, an emf is induced in the neighbouring coil. VS N S
= …(v)
VP NP
Alternating Current 495

The above relation is based on three assumptions (ii) Resistance of the windings The wire used for the
(i) The primary resistance and current are small. windings has some resistance and so, energy is lost
(ii) The same flux links both the primary and the due to heat produced in the wire (I 2R ). In high
secondary as there is very little leakage of magnetic current, low voltage windings, this is minimised by
flux. using thick wire.
(iii) The secondary current is small. (iii) Eddy currents The alternating magnetic flux
Efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of induces eddy currents in the iron core and causes
output power to the input power. heating. The effect is reduced by having a laminated
Output power VS I S core.
i.e. η= = (iv) Hysteresis The magnetisation of the core is
Input power VP I P
repeatedly reversed by an alternating magnetic field.
If the transformer is assumed to be 100% efficient The resulting expenditure of energy in the core
(no energy losses), the power input is equal to the power appears as heat and is kept to a minimum by using a
output, and since P = IV , I P VP = I S VS …(vi) magnetic material which has a low hysteresis loss.
Although, some energy is always lost, still this is a good
(v) Magnetostriction It is the humming noise of a
approximation, since a well designed transformer may
transformer.
have an efficiency of more than 95%.
Combining Eqs. (v) and (vi), we have Uses of transformers
I P VS N S Transformers are used in almost all AC operations. Some
= = …(vii)
I S VP NP of them are given below
Since, I andV both oscillate with the same frequency as (i) In the induction furnaces.
the AC source, Eq. (vii) also gives the ratio of the (ii) In voltage regulators for TV, computer, refrigerator etc.
amplitudes or rms values of corresponding quantities.
(iii) A step-down transformer is used for the purpose of
Now, we can observe how a transformer affects the weldings.
voltage and current. We have
(iv) In the transmission of AC over long distances.
N  N 
VS =  S  VP and I S =  P  I P …(viii)
 NP   NS  Example 7.57 In a step-down transformer having primary to
secondary turn ratio 10 : 1, the input voltage applied is
So, if the secondary coil has a greater number of turns 250V and output current is 10 A. Assuming 100%
than the primary (i.e. N S > NP ), the voltage is stepped up efficiency, calculate the
(VS > VP ). This type of arrangement is called a step-up (i) voltage across secondary coil,
transformer. However, in this arrangement, there is less (ii) current in primary coil
(iii) and power output.
current in the secondary than in the primary
N 1
(i. e. NP /N S < 1 and I S < I P ). If the secondary coil has less Sol. Given, S = , VP = 250 V
N P 10
turns than the primary (i. e. N S < NP ), we have a
step-down transformer. In this case,VS < VP and I S > I P , and I S = 10 A
i.e., the voltage is stepped down (or reduced) and the V N
(i) S = S
current is increased. The equations obtained above apply VP N P
to ideal transformers (i.e. which have zero energy losses). N
⇒ VS = S × VP =
1
× 250 = 25 V
Note The ratio k = Ns , is also known as transformation ratio. NP 10
Np
I N
(ii) P = S
Energy losses in transformers IS NP
In actual transformers, small energy losses do occur due to N 1
⇒ IP = S I S = × 10 = 1A
the following reasons. NP 10
(i) Flux leakage There is always some leakage of flux (iii) Power output = VS I S = 25 × 10 = 250 W
i.e., not all of the flux that the primary passes
through the secondary, due to poor design of the Example 7.58 A 10 kW transformer has 20 turns in the
primary and 100 turns in the secondary circuit. An AC
core or the air gaps in the core. It can be reduced by
voltageV1 = 600 sin 314 t is applied to the primary. Find (i)
winding the primary and secondary coils one over the maximum value of flux and (ii) the maximum value of
the other. secondary voltage.
496 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

Sol. (i) Flux linked with each turn of primary,

φ = B A cos ωt = φ 0 cos ωt
Electric generator or dynamo
Here, φ 0 = B A = maximum value of flux linked with Electric generator is a device which is used to convert
each turn mechanical energy to electrical energy. Generator provide
dφ d nearly all of the power for electric power grids.
∴ V1 = − N1 = −N1 (φ 0 cos ωt ) = ωN1 φ 0 sin ωt
dt dt The reverse conversion of electrical energy to mechanical
V energy is done by electric motor.
Peak value ofV1 = V0 = ω N1 φ 0 or φ 0 = 0
ωN1 Electric generators are of two types
Given,V1 = 600 sin 314 t = V0 sin ωt 1. AC generator 2. DC generator
∴ V0 = 600 V, ω = 314 rad s−1
600 1. AC generator or AC dynamo
Hence, φ 0 = = 0.0955 Wb
314 × 20 It is used to produce alternating current energy from
mechanical energy.
V20 N2
(ii) =
V10 N1 (i) Principle
∴ Maximum value of secondary voltage is, It is based on the phenomenon of electromagnetic
N 100 induction, i.e. whenever the amount of magnetic flux
V20 = 2 V10 = × 600 = 3000 V
N1 20 linked with a coil changes, an emf is induced in the coil.
The direction of induced current is given by Fleming’s
Example 7.59 (i) The primary of a transformer has 400 turns right-hand rule.
while the secondary has 2000 turns. If the power output
from the secondary at 1100 V is 12.1 kW, calculate the (ii) Construction
primary voltage. (ii) If the resistance of the primary is 0.2 Ω AC generator has following parts
and that of the secondary is 2.0 Ω and the efficiency of the
(a) Armature ABCD is a rectangular armature coil
transformer is 90 % calculate the heat losses in the primary
and the secondary coils. consisting of a large number of turns of insulated
copper wire wound over a laminated soft iron core.
Sol. (i) Given, N1 = 400, N 2 = 2000, V2 = 1100 V
(b) Field magnets N and S are the pole pieces of a
N1 400 strong electromagnet in which the armature coil is
As, V1 = V2 ⋅ = 1100 × = 220 V
N2 2000 rotated. Axis of rotation is perpendicular to the
(ii) Resistance of primary, R1 = 0.2 Ω magnetic field lines.
Resistance of secondary, R 2 = 2.0 Ω (c) Slip rings R 1 and R 2 are two hollow metallic rings
Output power, P2 = V2 I 2 = 12.1kW = 12100 W which are connected by the two ends of armature
∴ Current in the secondary,
coil. These rings rotate with the rotation of the coil.
P 12100 Axis
I2 = 2 = = 11A Armature
Motion Field magnets
V2 1100
output power B C
As, efficiency =
input power
N S
90 12100 W
⇒ =
100 Input power
A D
12100 × 100
Input power, P1 = = 13.44 × 103 W
90
Brushes B1
Also, input power, P1 = V1 I1 R1
P 13.44 × 103
∴ Current in the primary, I1 = 1 = = 61.1A B2
V1 220 R2

Power loss in the primary,

= I12 R1 = (61.1)2 × 0.2 = 746.64 W
Load, R
Power loss in the secondary,
Fig. 7.38 Construction of an AC generators
= I 22 R 2 = (11)2 × 2.0 = 242 W
Alternating Current 497

(d) Brushes B1 and B 2 are two flexible graphite contacts. Frequency, ν = 100 rpm
They are fixed and are kept in light contact with R 1 100 5
= rps = rps
and R 2 , respectively. These are used to pass on 60 3
current from the armature coil to the external load Magnetic field, B = 3.6 × 10−2 T
resistance R.
∴ Peak value of emf, E 0 = NABω
(e) Source of energy The armature coil is rotated with = NAB (2πν )
the help of turbine or any other device connected to 5
it. The rotational kinetic energy of the turbine is = 1000 × 10−2 × 3.6 × 10−2 × 2 × π ×
3
converted into electrical energy by the AC generator.
= 3.77 V
(iii) Theory and working E
E rms or EV = 0
As the armature coil is rotated in the magnetic field, angle 2
θ between the field and normal to the coil changes = 2.67 V
continuously. Hence, magnetic flux linked with the coil
also changes and therefore emf is induced in the coil. 2. DC generator or DC dynamo
Induced current in the external circuit changes direction It is used for producing direct current energy from
after every half rotation of the coil. mechanical energy.
Hence, the induced current is of alternating in nature. The
emf, so induced is given by the formula, E = E 0 sinωt. C B
where, E 0 = E max = NAB ω, B C
ω = angular frequency of the coil, I I
N = number of turns in the coil, S
D
N S
A
N

A = area enclosed by each turn of the coil

and B = strength of magnetic field. A D

The variation of E with time in AC generator is shown in B1 B2 B1 B2

R1 R2 R2 R1
figure below

(a) (b)
E
Fig. 7.40 (a) and (b) Constructions of DC generator
E0
The principle and working of DC generator is same as that
of AC generator. The only difference is that slip ring
O t arrangement of AC generator is replaced by split ring
arrangement or commutator arrangement in DC generator.
The magnitude of emf induced in DC generator is also
Fig. 7.39 Variation of emf in AC generator
E = E 0 sinωt
Note If AC is produced by a generator having a large number of However, the direction of E is not reversed in the second
poles, then its frequency half cycle because after half the rotation of the coil, R 1 goes
Number of poles × rotation per second P × n in contact with B 2 and R 2 goes in contact with B1.
ν= =
2 2
The variation of E with time in DC generator is shown in
where, P is the number of poles, n is the rotational frequency of
figure below.
the coil.
Y
Example 7.60 An AC generator consists of a coil of
1000 turns each of area 100 cm 2 and rotating at an angular E
speed of 100 rpm in a uniform magnetic field of
3 .6 × 10 −2 T. Find the peak and rms value of emf induced in
the coil. O X
t
Sol. Given, number of turns, N = 1000, Fig. 7.41 Variation of emf in DC generator
Area, A = 100 cm2 = 100 × 10−4 m2 = 10−2 m2
498 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

Advantages of AC over DC Disadvantages of AC over DC

Advantages of AC over DC are given below. Disadvantages of AC over DC are given below.
(i) The generation of AC is easy and economical. (i) AC can be transmitted from surface of the conductor
(ii) AC can easily be converted into DC with the help of and hence need several strands of thin wire insulated
rectifiers. from each other.
(iii) In AC, energy loss is minimum, so it can be (ii) AC shock is more attractive, while DC shock is
transmitted over long distances. repulsive. So, AC is more harmful.
(iv) Wide range of voltages are obtained by the use of (iii) AC cannot be used in electroplating process because
transformer. a constant current is needed in this, which is given
(v) AC machines have low maintainance cost. by DC.

CHECK POINT 7.4

1. Choke coil is a device having 7. In a transformer, the number of turns in primary and
(a) low inductance and low resistance secondary are 500 and 2000, respectively. If current in
(b) high inductance and high resistance primary is 48 A, the current in the secondary is
(c) low inductance and high resistance (a) 12 A (b) 24 A
(d) high inductance and low resistance (c) 48 A (d) 144 A
2. What is increased in step-down transformer? 8. The core used in a transformer and other electromagnetic
(a) Voltage (b) Current (c) Power (d) Current density devices is laminated so that
3. A transformer works on the principle of (a) ratio of voltage in the primary and secondary may
be increased
(a) self-induction
(b) energy loss due to eddy currents may be minimised
(b) electrical inertia
(c) mutual induction (c) the weight of the transformer may be reduced
(d) magnetic effect of the electrical current (d) residual magnetism in the core may be reduced

4. Quantity that remains unchanged in a transformer is 9. Which of the following is constructed on the principle of
(a) voltage (b) current electromagnetic induction?
(c) frequency (d) None of these (a) Galvanometer
(b) Electric motor
5. The ratio of secondary to the primary turns in a transformer
(c) Generator
is 3 : 2. If the power output be P, then the input power
(d) Voltmeter
neglecting all losses must be equal to
(a) 5 P (b) 1.5 P (c) P (d) (2/ 5) P 10. When speed of a DC generator decreases, the armature
6. The transformation ratio in the step-up transformer is current
(a) 1 (a) increases
(b) greater than one (b) decreases
(c) does not change
(c) less than one
(d) increases and decreases continuously
(d) the ratio greater or less than one depends on the other factors
 Chapter Exercises
(A) Taking it together
Assorted questions of the chapter for advanced level practice

1 The resistance of a coil for DC is 5 Ω . In case of AC, 7 What will be the approximate resistance offered by a
the resistance will capacitor of 10 µF and frequency 100 Hz?
(a) remain 5 Ω (b) decrease (a) 160 Ω (b) 1600 Ω
(c) increase (d) be zero (c) 16 Ω (d) None of these
2 In non-resonant circuit, what will be the nature of 8 The frequency for which a 5 µF capacitor has a
the circuit for frequencies higher than the resonant 1
reactance of Ω is given by
frequency? 1000
(a) Resistive (b) Capacitive 100 100 1
(c) Inductive (d) None of these (a) MHz (b) Hz (c) Hz (d) 1000 Hz
π π 1000
3 A circuit contains a capacitor and inductance each 9 An alternating voltage is connected in series with a
with negligible resistance. The capacitor is initially resistance R and an inductance L. If the potential
charged and the charging battery is disconnected. At drop across the resistance is 200 V and across the
subsequent time, the charge on the capacitor will inductance is 150 V, then the applied voltage is
(a) increase exponentially (b) decrease exponentially (a) 350 V (b) 250 V (c) 500 V (d) 300 V
(c) decrease sinusoidally (d) remain constant
10 An L-R circuit has R = 10 Ω and L = 2 H. If 120 V,
4 A choke is preferred to a resistance for limiting
60 Hz AC voltage is applied, then current in the
current in AC circuit because
circuit will be
(a) choke is cheap
(a) 0.32 A (b) 0.16 A
(b) there is no wastage of power
(c) 0.48 A (d) 0.80 A
(c) choke is compact in size
(d) choke is a good absorber of heat 11 A complex current wave is given by
5 Which of the following curves correctly represent i = (5 + 5 sin 100 πt ) A. Its average value over one
the variation of capacitive reactance (XC ) with time period is given as
frequency (f )? (a) 10 A (b) 5 A (c) 50 A (d) 0
12 If the rms current in a 50 Hz AC circuit is 5 A, the
value of the current 1/300 s after its value becomes
XC XC
(a) (b) zero is [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) 5 2 A (b) 5 3 / 2 A
f f (c) 5 / 6 A (d) 5 / 2 A
13 The peak value of an alternating emf E given by
E = E 0 cos ωt
(c) XC (d)
XC
is 10 V and frequency is 50 Hz. At time
t = (1 / 600) s, the instantaneous value of emf is
f f (a) 10 V (b) 5 3 V
(c) 5 V (d) 1 V
6 An AC source is connected to a capacitor. The
current in the circuit is I. Now a dielectric slab is 14 Current and voltage in AC are I = I 0 sin (ωt − π /4)
inserted into the capacitor, then the new current is and V = V0 sin (ωt + π /4), Then
(a) equal to I (a) XL > XC
(b) more than I (b) R=0
(c) less than I (c) Both (a) and (b) are correct
(d) may be more than or less than I (d) Both are wrong
500 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

15 A 10 Ω resistance, 5 mH coil and 10 µF capacitor 21 In a heating arrangement, an alternating current

are joined in series. When a suitable frequency having a peak value of 28 A is used. To produce the
alternating current source is joined to this same heat energy, if the constant current is used, its
combination, the circuit resonates. If the resistance is magnitude must be
halved, the resonance frequency (a) about 14 A (b) about 28 A
(a) is halved (c) about 20 A (d) Cannot say
(b) is doubled 22 A lamp consumes only 50% of peak power in an AC
(c) remains unchanged circuit. What is the phase difference between the
(d) in quadrupled applied voltage and circuit current?
16 The resonant frequency of a circuit is f. If the π π
(a) (b)
capacitance is made 4 times the initial value, then 6 3
the resonant frequency will become π π
(c) (d)
(a) f/2 (b) 2f 4 2
(c) f (d) f/4 23 110 V is applied across a series circuit having
17 An alternating emf is applied across a parallel resistance 11 Ω and impedance 22 Ω. The power
combination of a resistance R, capacitance C and an consumed is
inductance L. If I R , I L and I C are the currents (a) 275 W (b) 366 W
through R, L and C respectively, then the diagram (c) 550 W (d) 1100 W
which correctly represents, the phase relationship 24 A 20 V AC is applied to a circuit consisting of a
among I R , I L , I C and source emf E, is given by resistance and a coil with a negligible resistance. If
IL IR
the voltage across the resistance is 12 V, the voltage
(a) (b) across the coil is
E E
IR IL (a) 16 V (b) 10 V
IC IC (c) 8 V (d) 6 V
25 To reduce the resonant frequency in an L-C-R series
IC IR
circuit with a generator [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) the generator frequency should be reduced
(c) E (d) E
IR IC (b) another capacitor should be added in parallel to
the first
IL IL
(c) the iron core of the inductor should be removed
(d) dielectric in the capacitor should be removed
18 An AC supply gives 30 V which passes through a
10 Ω resistance. The power dissipated in it is 26 An alternating voltage is given by
(a) 90 2 W (b) 90 W e = e1 sin ωt + e 2 cos ωt
(c) 45 2 W (d) 45 W Then, the root-mean-square value of voltage
is given by
19 An alternating potentialV = V0 sin ωt is applied (a) e12 + e 22 (b) e 2e 2
across a circuit. As a result the current
 π e1e 2 e12 + e 22
(c) (d)
I = I 0 sin  ωt –  flows in it. The power consumed 2 2
 2
in the circuit per cycle is 27 The output sinusoidal current versus time curve of a
rectifier is shown in the figure. The average value of
(a) zero (b) 0.5V0 I 0
output current in this case is
(c) 0.707V0 I 0 (d) 1.414V0 I 0
20 A direct current of 2 A and an alternating current
Current

having a maximum value of 2A flow through two

identical resistances. The ratio of heat produced in I0
the two resistances will be
Time
(a) 1 : 1 (b) 1 : 2
I 2I
(c) 2 : 1 (d) 4 : 1 (a) 0 (b) 0 (c) 0 (d) I 0
2 π
Alternating Current 501

28 Voltage and current in an AC circuit are given by 35 Two coils have a mutual inductance 0.005 H. The
 π  π alternating current changes in the first coil according
V = 5 sin 100 πt −  and I = 4 sin 100 πt +  to equation I = I 0 sin ωt, where I 0 = 10 A and
 6  6
(a) voltage leads the current by 30° ω = 100 π rads −1 . The maximum value of emf in the
(b) current leads the voltage by 30° second coil is (in volt)
(c) current leads the voltage by 60° (a) 2 π (b) 5 π
(d) voltage leads the current by 60° (c) π (d) 4 π
29 An alternating voltage E = 200 2 sin (100t ) is 36 Two identical electric heaters each marked 1000 W,
connected to a 1 µF capacitor through an AC 220 V are connected in series. This combination is
ammeter. The reading of the ammeter shall be connected to an AC supply of 220 V. What will be
(a) 10 mA (b) 20 mA (c) 40 mA (d) 80 mA their combined rate of heating? (Assume that
resistance of each heater remains constant)
30 A choke coil and capacitor are connected in series (a) 2000 W (b) 1000 W
and the current through the combination is (c) 500 W (d) 250 W
maximum for AC of frequency n. If they are
connected in parallel, at what frequency the current 37 In an L-R circuit, the inductive reactance is equal to
through the combination is minimum? the resistance R of the circuit. An emf
(a) n (b) n/2 E = E 0 cos (ωt ) is applied to the circuit. The power
(c) 2n (d) None of these consumed in the circuit is
1 E 02 E 02 E 02 E 02
(a) (b) (c) (d)
31 A coil having an inductance of H is connected in 2R 4R 2R 8R
π
series with a resistance of 300 Ω. If 20 V and a 200 38 In a transformer, the coefficient of mutual inductance
Hz source are impressed across the combination, the between the primary and the secondary coil is 0.2 H.
value of the tangent of the phase angle between the When the current changes by 5 A/s in the primary,
voltage and the current is the induced emf in the secondary will be
5 4 3 4 (a) 5 V (b) 1 V
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4 5 4 3 (c) 25 V (d) 10 V
32 A condenser of capacity 20 µF is first charged and 39 In a transformer, number of turns in the primary are
then discharged through a 10 mH inductance. 140 and that in the secondary are 280. If current in
Neglecting the resistance of the coil, the frequency primary is 4 A, then that in the secondary is
of the resulting vibrations will be (a) 4 A (b) 2 A
(c) 6 A (d) 10 A
(a) 356 cycles/s (b) 35.6 cycles/s
(c) 356 × 103 cycles/s (d) 3.56 cycles/s 40 When a voltage measuring device is connected to
AC mains, the meter shows the steady input voltage
33 An electric current has both DC and AC components.
of 220 V. This means [NCERT Exemplar]
DC component of 8A and AC component is given as
(a) input voltage cannot be AC voltage, but a DC voltage
I = 6 sin ωt. So, I rms value of resultant current is (b) maximum input voltage is 220 V
(a) 8.05 A (b) 9.05 A (c) 11.58 A (d) 13.58 A
(c) the meter does not read v but < v 2 > and is calibrated to
34 Which of the shown graphs may represent the
read < v 2 >
reactance of a series L-C combination? (d) the pointer of the meter is stuck by some mechanical
Reactance Reactance defect
41 A circuit contains resistance R and an inductance L
(a) (b) in series. An alternating voltageV = V0 sin ωt is
Frequency Frequency applied across it. The currents in R and L
respectively will be
R L
Reactance Reactance

(c) (d)
Frequency Frequency

AC
502 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

(a) IR = I 0 cos ωt, IL = I 0 cos ωt 46 Using an AC voltmeter, the potential difference in

(b) IR = − I 0 sin ωt, IL = I 0 cos ωt the electrical line in a house is found to be 234 V. If
(c) IR = I 0 sin ωt, IL = − I 0 cos ωt the line frequency is known to be 50 cycles per second,
(d) None of the above the equation for the line voltage is
42 In the series L-C-R circuit shown, the impedance is (a) 165 sin (200πt ) (b) 234 sin (100πt )
L C R (c) 331 sin (100πt ) (d) 440 sin (200πt )
47 The voltage across a pure inductor is represented in
1H 20 µF 300 Ω
figure. Which one of the following curves in the
figure will represent the current?
V

50 V, 50
π Hz
t
(a) 200 Ω (b) 100 Ω (c) 300 Ω (d) 500 Ω
43 An alternating current I in an inductance coil varies
with time according to the graph given below. I I
Which one of the following graphs gives the
variation of voltage with time?
(a) (b)
t t
I
I I

t (c) (d)
t t

(a) V (b) V 48 A constant voltage at different frequencies is applied

across a capacitance C as shown in the figure. Which
t t
of the following graphs correctly depicts the
variation of current with frequency?

Signal
(c) V (d) V Generator V C

A
t t

I I
44 A resistor and a capacitor are connected in series
with an AC source. If the potential drop across the (a) (b)
capacitor is 5 V and that across resistor is 12 V, then
applied voltage is
ω ω
(a) 13 V (b) 17 V
(c) 5 V (d) 12 V I I
45 The rms voltage of the waveform shown is
Y (c) (d)
+ 10
ω ω
0 t

49 The output of a step-down transformer is measured

− 10
to be 24 V when connected to a 12 W light bulb.
(a) 10 V (b) 7 V The value of the peak current is [NCERT Exemplar]
(c) 6.37 V (d) None of these (a) (1 / 2) A (b) 2 A (c) 2 A (d) 2 2 A
Alternating Current 503

50 The rms value of an AC of 50 Hz is 10 A. The time the resistor in time ∆t. To produce the same heat in
taken by an alternating current in reaching from zero the same time, required DC current is
to maximum value and the peak value of current will (a) 14 A (b) about 20 A
be (c) about 10 A (d) None of these
(a) 2 × 10−2 s and 14.14 A 57 In a certain circuit, current changes with time
(b) 1 × 10−2 s and 7.07 A according to i = 2 t . Root mean square value of
(c) 5 × 10−3 s and 7.07 A current between t = 2 to t = 4 s will be
(d) 5 × 10−3 s and 14.14 A (a) 3 A (b) 3 3 A
51 An inductance of 1 mH, a condenser of 10 µF and a (c) 2 3 A (d) 3A
resistance of 50 Ω are connected in series. The 1
reactances of inductor and condensers are same. The 58 The power factor of an R-L circuit is . If the
2
reactance of either of them will be
(a) 100 Ω (b) 30 Ω frequency of AC is doubled, what will be the power
(c) 3.2 Ω (d) 10 Ω factor?
1 1 1 1
52 An AC source of variable frequency f is connected to (a) (b) (c) (d)
3 5 7 11
an L-C-R series circuit. Which one of the graphs in
figure represents the variation of current I in the 59 When a DC voltage of 200V is applied to a coil of
circuit with frequency f ? self inductance (2 3 / π ) H, a current of 1A flows
I I through it. But by replacing DC source with AC
source of 200V, the current in the coil is reduced to
(a) (b) 0.5A. Then, the frequency of AC supply is
(a) 30 Hz (b) 60 Hz
(c) 75 Hz (d) 50 Hz
f f
60 One 10 V, 60 W bulb is to be connected to 100 V
I I line. The required self-inductance of induction coil
will be (f = 50 Hz)
(c) (d) (a) 0.052 H (b) 2.42 H
(c) 16.2 H (d) 162 mH
61 The reading of ammeter in the circuit shown will be
f f
A
53 The armature of DC motor has 20 Ω resistance. It
XC = 5Ω
draws current of 1.5 A when run by 220 V DC V 110V ∼
supply. The value of back emf induced in it will be
(a) 150 V (b) 170 V
XL = 5Ω R = 55Ω
(c) 180 V (d) 190 V
54 A group of electric lamps having a total power rating (a) 2A (b) 2.4 A
of 1000 W is supplied by an AC voltage (c) zero (d) 1.7 A
E = 200 sin (310 t + 60 ° ), then the rms value of the 62 In series L-C-R circuit voltage drop across resistance
circuit current is is 8 V and across inductor is 6 V and across
(a) 10 A (b) 5 2 A capacitor is 12 V. Then
(c) 20 A (d) 10 2 A (a) voltage of the source will be leading in the circuit
(b) voltage drop across each element will be less than the
55 An alternating voltageV = 30 sin 50t + 40 cos 50t is applied voltage
applied to a resistor of resistance 10 Ω. The rms (c) power factor of the circuit will be 3/4
value of current through resistor is (d) None of the above
5 10 63 In a series L-C-R circuit, resistance R = 10 Ω and
(a) A (b) A
2 2 the impedance Z = 10 Ω. The phase difference
(c) 5 A (d) None of these between the current and the voltage is
56 An alternating voltageV = 140 sin 50t is applied to a (a) 0° (b) 30°
resistor of 10 Ω. This voltage produces ∆H heat in (c) 45° (d) 60°
504 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

64 For the series L-C-R circuit shown in the figure, (a) V1 (b) V2
what is the resonance frequency and the current at (c) V3 (d) None of these
the resonating frequency?
68 An R-L-C circuit containing a 52 Ω resistor, a
8 mH
230 mH inductor, and a 8.8 µF capacitor is driven by
an AC voltage source that has an amplitude of 150 V
220 V 20 µF and frequency f = 80 Hz. How much average power
44 Ω
is dissipated by this circuit?
(a) 78.6 W (b) Zero (c) 19.6 W (d) 24.8 W
(a) 2500 rad s −1 and 5 2 A 69 The natural frequency of the circuit shown in the
(b) 2500 rad s −1 and 5 A figure is
5 C C
(c) 2500 rad s −1 and A
2
(d) 25 rad s −1 and 5 2 A
L L
65 The figure shows variation of R, XL and XC with
frequency f in a series L, C, R circuit. Then, for
what frequency point, the circuit is inductive? 1 1
(a) (b)
XC XL 2π LC 2π 2LC
2
(c) (d) None of these
2π LC
R
70 In the circuit shown what is the energy stored in the
coil at steady state?
f
AB C 25 V

(a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) All points 2Ω

66 In the given figure, a series L-C-R circuit is 5Ω 5 H, 2 Ω 10 Ω

connected to a variable frequency source of 230 V.
The impedance and amplitude of the current at the
resonating frequency will be
25 Ω
L = 0.5 H C = 80 µF R = 40 Ω
(a) 21.3 J (b) 42.6 J
(c) Zero (d) 213 J
71 A loss-free transformer having 100 turns in primary
is used to transmit 10 kW of power. The input
voltage is 200 V and power is transmitted at 5 kV.
The currents in the primary and secondary of the
(a) 20 Ω and 4.2 A (b) 30 Ω and 6.9 A transformer are
(c) 25 Ω and 5.8 A (d) 40 Ω and 5.75 A
(a) 2 A and 50 A (b) 50 A and 2 A
67 In figure, which voltmeter reads zero, when ω is equal (c) 25 A and 4 A (d) 12.5 A and 8 A
to the resonant frequency of series L-C-R circuit? 72 A pure resistive circuit element X when connected
V1 V2 to an AC supply of peak voltage 200 V, gives a peak
current of 5 A. A second circuit elementY, when
10 Ω 10 m Ω 16 µF 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 andY is
V3
connected to the same supply, what will be the rms
value of current?
10 5 5
E = E0 sinω t
(a) A (b) A (c) A (d) 5 A
2 2 2
Alternating Current 505

73 A coil, a capacitor and an AC source of rms voltage 77 The following series L-C-R circuit, when driven by
24 V are connected in series. By varying the an emf source of angular frequency 70 kilo-radians
frequency of the source, a maximum rms current of per second, the circuit effectively behaves like
6 A is observed. If this coil is connected to a battery
100 µH 1 µF 10 Ω
of emf 12 V and internal resistance 4 Ω, the
maximum current through it will be
(a) 2.4 A (b) 1.8 A
(c) 1.5 A (d) 1.2 A
74 In the L-C-R circuit as shown in figure.
(a) purely resistive circuit
XC = 20 Ω XL = 10 Ω
(b) series R-L circuit
R = 10 Ω
(c) series R-C circuit
(d) series L-C circuit with R = 0
78 In the circuit shown in the figure , the alternating
currents through inductor and capacitor are 1.2 A
V = 400 sin ω t and 1.0 A, respectively. The current drawn from the
generator is
(a) Current will lag the voltage
(b) Rms value of current is 20 2 A L
1
(c) Power factor of the circuit is
2 C
(d) Voltage drop across resistance is 200 V
75 In the circuit shown below what will be the reading AC generator
of the voltmeter and ammeter? (a) 0.4 A (b) 0.2 A (c) 1.0 A (d) 1.2 A
L C 100 Ω 79 An alternating current generator has an internal
resistance R g and an internal reactance X g . It is
used to supply power to a passive load consisting of
VL VR V a resistance R g and a reactance XL . For maximum
300 V 300 V power to be delivered from the generator to the load,
A
the value of XL is equal to [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) zero (b) X g (c) − X g (d) R g
220 V, 50 Hz 80 In the circuit shown in figure, the supply has a
constant rms value V but variable frequency f. The
(a) 200 V, 1 A (b) 800 V, 2 A frequency at which the voltage drop across R is
(c) 220 V, 2 A (d) 220 V, 2.2 A maximum is
76 In the circuit shown in figure neglecting source C L
resistance, the voltmeter and ammeter readings will R
be respectively 1 µF 1
π πH

V
∼
200 V
C (a) 100 Hz (b) 500 Hz
(c) 300 Hz (d) None of these
R = 30 Ω XL = 25 Ω XC = 25 Ω
A 81 When an AC voltage, of variable frequency is
applied to series L-C-R circuit, the current in the
circuit is the same at 4 kHz and 9 kHz. The current
240 V
in the circuit is maximum at
(a) 0 V, 3 A (b) 150 V, 3 A (a) 5 kHz (b) 6.5 kHz
(c) 150 V, 6 A (d) 0 V, 8 A (c) 4.2 kHz (d) 6 kHz
506 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

82 In the given AC circuit, If the capacitance is short circuited, the voltage

XC
across the inductance will be
I1
10
(a) V (b) 10 V
2
(c) 10 2 V (d) 20 V
I2 R 87 In the circuit shown, rms current is 11 A. The
I
potential difference across the inductor is
200 V
V
V = V0 sin ωt L R = 20 Ω

C
(a) current I 2 andV are is same phase
(b) current I 2 leads I1 by 90°
(c) current I leads I 2 by θ < 90°
(d) current I leads I1 by θ < 90° 220 V; 50 Hz

83 An ideal resistance R, ideal inductance L, ideal (a) 220 V (b) 0 V (c) 300 V (d) 200 V
capacitance C and AC voltmetersV1,V2,V3 andV4
88 An inductor of reactance 1 Ω and a resistor of 2 Ω
are connected to an AC source as shown. At
are connected in series to the terminals of a 6V (rms)
resonance,
AC source. The power dissipated in the circuit is
V4 [NCERT Exemplar]
R L C (a) 8 W (b) 12 W
(c) 14.4 W (d) 18 W
V1 V2 V3 89 An AC circuit consists of a resistance and a choke
coil in series. The resistance is of 220 Ω and choke
~ coils is of 0.7 H. The power absorbed from 220 V
(a) reading inV3 = reading inV1
and 50 Hz, source connected with the circuit, is
(b) reading inV1 = reading inV2 (a) 55 W (b) 110 W
(c) 220 W (d) 440 W
(c) reading inV2 = reading inV4
(d) reading inV2 = reading inV3 90 In the series L-C-R circuit, the voltmeter and
84 An AC voltage source of variable angular frequency ammeter readings are respectively
ω and fixed amplitude V connected in series with a V
capacitance C and an electric bulb of resistance R 200 V 200 V
(inductance zero). When ω is increased,
(a) the bulb glows dimmer
R = 50 Ω L C
(b) the bulb glows brighter
(c) total impedance of the circuit is unchanged A
(d) total impedance of the circuit increases
85 In the circuit shown, the AC source has voltage 100 V, 50 Hz
−1
V = 20 cos (ωt ) volt with ω = 2000 rads . The
amplitude of the current will be nearest to
(a) V = 200 V, I = 4 A (b) V = 150 V, I = 2 A
(c) V = 100 V, I = 5 A (d) V = 100 V, I = 2 A
6Ω
91 Current in resistance is 1 A, then
R L C
5 mH , 4 Ω 50 µF
3V 8V 4V

(a) 2 A (b) 3.3 A (c) 2 / 5A (d) 5A

86 In a series L-C-R circuit the voltage across Vs
resistance, capacitance and inductance is 10V each.
Alternating Current 507

(a) VS = 5 V (a) R = 400 Ω, C = 0.5 µF

(b) impedance of network is 5 Ω (b) R = 500 Ω, C = 0.5 µF
(c) power factor of given circuit is (0.6) lagging (c) R = 500 Ω, C = 1 µF
(current is lagging)
(d) All of the above (d) R = 400 Ω, C = 0.1 µF

92 An L-C-R series circuit with a resistance of 100 Ω is 98 When 100 V DC is applied across a solenoid, a
connected to an AC source of 200 V (rms) and current of 1 A flows in it. When 100 V AC is
applied across the same solenoid the current drops to
angular frequency 300 rad s −1. When only the
0.5 A. If the frequency of the AC source is 50 Hz,
capacitor is removed, the current lags behind the
the impedance and inductance of the solenoid are
voltage by 60°. When only the inductor is removed
the current leads the voltage by 60°. The average (a) 200 Ω and 0.55 H (b) 100 Ω and 0.86 H
power dissipated in original L-C-R circuit is (c) 200 Ω and 1.0 H (d) 1100 Ω and 0.93 H
(a) 50 W (b) 100 W 99 An ideal choke takes a current of 8 A when
(c) 200 W (d) 400 W connected to an AC source of 100 V and 50 Hz. A
93 A virtual current of 4 A and 50 Hz flows in an AC pure resistor under the same conditions takes a
circuit containing a coil. The power consumed in the current of 10 A. If two are connected in series to an
coil is 240 W. If the virtual voltage across the coil is AC supply of 100 V and 40 Hz, then the current in
100 V, then its inductance will be the series combination of above resistor and
1 1 inductor is
(a) H (b) H
3π 5π (a) 10 A (b) 5 A (c) 5 2 A (d) 10 2 A
1 1
(c) H (d) H 100 An AC source is connected with a resistance (R) and
7π 9π
an uncharged capacitance C, in series. The potential
94 An inductor L, a capacitor of 20 µF and a resistor of difference across the resistor is in phase with the
10 Ω are connected in series with an AC source of initial potential difference across the capacitor for
frequency 50 Hz. If the current is in phase with the the first time at the instant (assume that at t = 0, emf
voltage, then the inductance of the inductor is is zero) (where, ω is the angular frequency)
(a) 2.00 H (b) 0.51 H π 2π
(a) (b)
(c) 1.5 H (d) 0.99 H 4ω ω
π 3π
95 An L-C-R series circuit consists of a resistance of (c) (d)
2ω 2ω
10 Ω, a capacitor of reactance 60 Ω and an inductor
coil. The circuit is found to resonate when put across 101 Current through an AC series L-C-R circuit is 2 A if
a 300 V, 100 Hz supply. The inductance of coil is operated at resonant frequency, and 1 A if operated
(take, π = 3) at 50% less than resonant frequency. The current
(a) 0.1 H (b) 0.01 H (c) 0.2 H (d) 0.02 H (in A) if the frequency is 100% more than the
resonant frequency, is
96 A capacitor of capacitance 1 µF is charged to a
potential of 1V. It is connected in parallel to an (a) 2 (b) 1
inductor of inductance 10 −3 H. The maximum current (c) 3 (d) Data insufficient
that will flow in the circuit has the value 102 An AC voltageV = V0 sin 100 t is applied to the
(a) 1000 mA (b) 1 A circuit, the phase difference between current and
(c) 1 mA (d) 1000 mA π
voltage is found to be , then
97 Which of the following options is correct with 4
respect to the circuit diagram given below? V, I V I
100 V
0.2 A
t

π/4
R 2H C
(a) R = 100 Ω, C = 1 µF (b) R = 1k Ω, C = 10 µF
400 V 400 V (c) R = 10 kΩ, L = 1 H (d) R = 1 kΩ, L = 10 H
508 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

10 Ω
103 In the given AC circuit, when switch S is at A
position 1, the source emf leads current by π /6.
Now, if the switch is at position 2, then 50 µF
5 mH
L = 3 mH
1
R
S
V
2 (a) 4 V, 2.0 A (b) 0 V, 2A
C = 1000 µF (c) 0 V, 2 A (d) 8 V, 2.0 A
3
107 A fully charged capacitor C with initial charge q 0 is
V = V0 sin1000t connected to a coil of self inductance L at t = 0. The
π
time at which the energy is stored equally between
(a) current leads source emf by the electric and the magnetic fields is
4 π
π (a) π LC (b) LC (c) 2π LC (d) LC
(b) current leads source emf by 4
3
π 108 A circuit draws 330 W from a 110 V, 60 Hz AC
(c) source emf leads current by
4 line. The power factor is 0.6 and the current lags the
π voltage. The capacitance of a series capacitor that
(d) source emf leads current by will result in a power factor of unity is equal to
3
(a) 31 µF (b) 54 µF (c) 151 µF (d) 201 µF
104 An L-C circuit contains a 20 mH inductor and a
50µF capacitor with an initial charge of 10 mC. The 109 An arc lamp requires a direct current of 10 A at
resistance of the circuit is negligible. At the instant 80 V to function. If it is connected to a 220 V(rms),
the circuit is closed be t = 0. At what time is the 50 Hz AC supply, the series inductor needed for it to
energy stored completely magnetic? work is close to
(a) t = 0 (b) t = 1.57ms (a) 0.08 H (b) 0.044 H (c) 0.064 H (d) 80 H
(c) t = 314
. ms (d) t = 6.28 ms 110 In the circuit shown in the figure, the ac source
105 When an alternating voltage of 220 V is applied gives a voltageV = 20 cos(2000t ). Neglecting source
across a device P, a current of 0.25 A flows through resistance, the voltmeter and ammeter readings
the circuit and it leads the applied voltage by an will be
π 6Ω
∼ A
angle radian. When the same voltage source is
2
connected across another device Q, the same current 5 mH 4 Ω 50 µF
is observed in the circuit but in phase with the
applied voltage.
V
What is the current when the same source is
connected across a series combination of P and Q? (a) 0 V, 0.47 A (b) 1.68 V, 0.47 A
1 π (c) 0 V, 1.4 A (d) 5.6 V, 1.4 A
(a) A lagging in phase by with voltage
4 2 4 111 An inductor (XL = 2 Ω ), a capacitor (XC = 8 Ω ) and
1 π
(b) A leading in phase by with voltage a resistance (R = 8 Ω ) are connected in series with
4 2 4 an AC source. The voltage output of AC source is
1 π given by V = 10 cos (100 πt ).
(c) A leading in phase by with voltage
2 4 XC = 8 Ω 8Ω
1 π A
(d) A leading in phase by with voltage B
2 6 XL = 2 Ω

106 In the circuit shown in figure, the AC source gives a

voltageV = 20 cos (2000 t ). Neglecting source
resistance, the voltmeter and ammeter readings will
be (approximately)
Alternating Current 509

The instantaneous potential difference between points different values L1 and L 2 (L1 > L 2 ) of L, then which
A and B, when the applied voltage is 3/5th of the of the following represents this graph correctly (plots
maximum value of applied voltage is are schematic and not drawn to scale)
(a) 0 V (b) 6 V 2 2
Qmax Qmax
(c) 8 V (d) None of these
112 A L-C-R circuit is equivalent to a damped pendulum. L1 L2
(a) (b)
In an L-C-R circuit the capacitor is charged to Q 0 L2 L1
and then connected to the L and R as shown below. t t
R L

2
2 Qmax
Qmax
L1 Q0 (For both L1 and L2)
C (c) (d)
L2

If a student plots graphs of the square of maximum t t

2
charge (Qmax ) on the capacitor with time (t ) for two

(B) Medical entrance special format questions

Assertion and reason 4 Assertion In L-C-R series AC circuit, XL = XC = R
at a given frequency. When frequency is doubled,
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-6) These questions consists of two
statements each linked as Assertion and Reason. While 13
the impedance of the circuit is R.
answering these question you are required to choose any one 2
of the following four responses. Reason The given frequency is resonance frequency.
(a) If both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is the 5 Assertion Average power in an AC circuit is given
correct explanation of Assertion. 2
by P = I rms R.
(b) If both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the
correct explanation of Assertion. Reason In one full cycle, net power is dissipated only
(c) If Assertion is true but Reason is false. along a resistor.
(d) If Assertion is false but Reason is true.
6 Assertion At resonance, power factor of series
1 Assertion If an inductor coil is connected to DC L-C-R circuit is zero.
source, the current supplied by it is I 1. If the same Reason At resonance, current function and voltage
coil is connected with an AC source of same voltage. functions are in same phase.
Then current is I 2 . Then I 2 < I 1.
Reason In AC circuit, inductor coil offers more Statement Based Questions
resistance.
1 For series L-C-R AC circuit shown in figure, the
2 Assertion In an AC, only capacitor circuit has readings ofV2 andV3 are same and each equal to
instantaneous power equals to zero at any instant of 100 V. Then, which of the following statement(s)
time. is/are incorrect?
Reason Phase difference between current function
and voltage function is 90°.
V1 V2 V3
3 Assertion When a ferromagnetic rod is inserted
inside an inductor, then current in L-C-R, alternating
circuit will decrease.
Reason By inserting the ferromagnetic rod inside
the inductor, coefficient of self induction and hence
200 V, 50 Hz
the inductive reactance will increase.
510 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

(a) The readingV1 is 200 V. For this situation, mark the incorrect statement(s).
(b) The reading ofV2 is 0. (a) As V increases from a to b, the charging of capacitor
(c) The circuit is in resonant mode and resonant frequency takes place.
is 50 Hz.
(d) The inductive and capacitive reactance are equal. (b) As V increases from a to b, the current in circuit
decreases from maximum to zero value.
2 A signal generator supplies a sine wave of 20 V, (c) As V decreases from b to c, the capacitor discharges.
5 kHz to the circuit shown in the figure. Then, (d) As V decreases from b to c charging of capacitor
choose the wrong statement. takes place.
5 Two identical incandescent light bulbs are connected
1/π µF as shown in figure. When the circuit is an AC
voltage source of frequency f, which of the following
100 Ω statement(s) is/are correct?

R R
~
20 V, 5 kHz C
L
(a) The current in the resistive branch is 0.2 A.
(b) The current in the capacitive branch is 0.126 A.
Bulb b1 Bulb b2
(c) Total line current is ≈ 0.283 A.
(d) Current in both the branches is same.
3 Which of the following statement is correct (a) Both bulbs will glow alternatively.
regarding the AC circuit shown in the adjacent (b) Both bulbs will glow with same brightness provided
figure? 1
f= (1 / LC ).
2π
XL = 4 Ω XC = 4 Ω R=2Ω (c) Bulb b1 will light up initially and goes OFF, bulb b 2 will
be ON constantly.
(d) Bulb b1 will blink and bulb b 2 will be ON constantly.
6 In the given circuit, the AC source has
ω = 100 rad s −1. Considering the inductor and
capacitor to be ideal, which of the statement(s) is/are
correct?
V = 100 sin ωt
100 µF 100 Ω
(a) The rms value of current through the circuit is
irms = 5 2 A.
(b) The phase difference between source emf and current
0.5 H 50 Ω
 1
is φ = cos−1   . l
 3
(c) Average power dissipated in the circuit is 500 W.
20 V
(d) None of the above ∼

4 For an AC circuit containing capacitor only, the

(a) The current through the circuit, I is 0.6 A.
applied AC voltage waveform is shown in figure.
(b) The current through the circuit, I is 0.3 2 A.
V (c) The voltage across 100 Ω resistor = 10 2 V.
(d) The voltage across 50 Ω resistor = 10 V.
b
a e 7 At time t = 0, terminal A in the circuit shown in the
c t figure is connected to B by a key. Alternating
d current I (t ) = I 0 cos (ωt ), with I 0 = 1 A and
ω = 500 rads −1 starts flowing in it with the initial
Alternating Current 511

7π Column I Column II
direction shown in the figure. At t = , the key is
6ω
A. At resonance frequency (p) Power factor = 0
switched from B to D. Now onwards only A and D
are connected. A total charge Q flows from the B. No resistance in the circuit (q) Power factor = 1
battery to charge the capacitor fully. C. Only resistance in the (r) Circuit is capacitor
If C = 20 µF, R = 10 Ω and the battery is ideal with circuit
emf of 50 V, identify the correct statement(s).
D. Frequency greater than the (s) Circuit is inductive
B D resonance frequency

A Codes
A B C D A B C D
50 V (a) r s p q (b) q p q s
C = 20 µF
(c) p s p q (d) r p q s
2 In an AC, series L-C-R circuit, R = XL = XC and
R = 10 Ω applied AC voltage is V. Then match the following
(a) Magnitude of the maximum charge on the capacitor two columns and choose the correct option from
7π codes given below.
before t = is 1 × 10−3 C.
6ω Column I Column II
(b) The current in the left part of the circuit just before A. VR (p) zero
7π
t= is clockwise. B. VC (q) V
6ω
(c) Immediately after A is connected to D. The current in C. VRL (r) 2V
R is 20A. D. VCL (s) 2V
(d) Q = 2 × 10−3 C
Codes
8 The diagram shows a capacitor C and a resistor R A B C D A B C D
connected in series to an AC source,V1 andV2 are (a) q q r p (b) p s r r
voltmeters and A is an ammeter. (c) q p r s (d) s p r s
V1 3 In an AC series L-C-R circuit, applied voltage is
V = 100 2 sin (ωt + 45° ) V
C Given that, R = 30 Ω, XL = 50 Ω and XC = 10 Ω
∼ R V2
Now match the following two columns and choose the
A correct option from codes given below.
Consider the following statements Column I Column II
I. Readings in A andV2 are always in phase. A. Current in the circuit (p) 120 SI units
II. Reading inV1 is ahead in phase with reading inV2 . B. Power dissipated in the circuit (q) 60 SI units
III. Readings in A andV1 are always in phase. C. Potential difference across (r) 2 SI units
Which of these statement(s) is/are correct? resistance
(a) I only (b) II only D. Potential difference across (s) None
(c) I and II (d) II and III inductance

Match the columns Codes

A B C D A B C D
1 Match the following two columns for L-C-R series
(a) p q r s (b) p s r q
AC circuit and choose the correct option from codes (c) r s p q (d) r p q s
given below.
(C) Medical entrances’ gallery
(Collection of questions asked in NEET & various medical entrance exams)

1 A series L-C-R circuit is connected to an AC voltage (a) VC = 10 (5 − 8 2 ) (b) VC = 10 (5 + 8 2 )

source. When L is removed from the circuit, the (c) VC = 20 (5 + 8 2 ) (d) VC = 10 (5 + 7 2 )
π
phase difference between current and voltage is . 7
3 12 kΩ
If instead C is removed from the circuit, the phase
π 5µF
difference is again between current and voltage.
3 9V 15 kΩ
5kΩ
The power factor of the circuit is [NEET 2020]
(a) 0.5 (b) 1 (c) −1.0 (d) zero
2 A 40 µF capacitor is connected to a 200 V, 50 Hz In the given circuit, find charge on capacitor after 1s
AC supply. The rms value of the current in the of opening the switch at t = ∞. [AIIMS 2019]
circuit is, nearly [NEET 2020] (a) 20 e −10 µC (b) 25 e −10 µC
(a) 2.05 A (b) 2.5 A (c) 25.1 A (d) 1.7 A (c) 30 e −10 µC (d) 35 e −10 µC
3 A light bulb and an inductor coil are connected to an N1 50
AC source through a key as shown in the figure 8 A transformer with turns ratio = is
below. The key is closed and after sometime an iron N2 1
rod is inserted into the interior of the inductor. The connected to a 120 V AC supply. If primary and
glow of the light bulb [NEET 2020] secondary circuit resistances are 15
. kΩ and 1Ω
respectively, then find out power of output.
[AIIMS 2019]
(a) 5.76 W (b) 11.4 W
(c) 2.89 W (d) 756 W

(a) decreases (b) remains unchanged 9 Find resonance frequency in the given circuit
[JIPMER 2019]
(c) will fluctuate (d) increases L C
4 A circuit when connected to an AC source of 12 V
gives a current of 0.2 A. The same circuit when L C
connected to a DC source of 12 V, gives a current of
0.4 A. The circuit is [NEET 2019]
(a) series L-R (b) series R-C
(c) series L-C (d) series L-C-R
5 If maximum energy is stored in a capacitor at t = 0, (a)
1
(b)
2
(c)
1
(d)
4
then find the time after which current in the circuit LC LC 2 LC LC
will be maximum. [AIIMS 2019] 10 An inductor 20 mH, a capacitor 100 µF and a
L=25 mH resistor 50 Ω are connected in series across a source
of emfV = 10 sin 314 t. The power loss in the circuit
is [AIIMS 2018]
(a) 2.74 W (b) 0.43 W
(c) 0.79 W (d) 1.13 W
11 In a circuit L, C and R are connected in series with
C=10 µF
an alternating voltage source of frequency f . The
π π
(a) ms (b) ms (c) π ms (d) 2 ms current leads the voltage by 45°. The value of C is
2 4 [AIIMS 2018]
6 In an L-C-R series circuit, source voltage is 120 V 1 1
(a) (b)
and voltage in inductor is 50 V and in resistance is 2πf (2πfL + R ) πf (2πfL + R )
40 V, then determine voltage in the capacitor. 1 1
[AIIMS 2019] (c) (d)
2πf (2πfL − R ) πf (2πfL − R )
Alternating Current 513

12 In a series R-C circuit shown in figure, the applied 18 A 100 Ω resistance and a capacitor of 100 Ω
voltage is 10 V and the voltage across capacitor is reactance are connected in series across a 220 V
found to be 8V. Then, the voltage across R and the source. When the capacitor is 50% charged, the peak
phase difference between current and the applied value of the displacement current is [NEET 2016]
voltage will respectively be [AIIMS 2018] (a) 2.2 A (b) 11 A
(c) 4.4 A (d) 11 2 A

8V VR 19 A small signal voltageV (t ) = V0 sin ωt is applied

across an ideal capacitor C [NEET 2016]
(a) over a full cycle the capacitor C does not consume any
10 V
energy from the voltage source
 4  3 (b) current I (t) is in phase with voltage V(t)
(a) 6 V, tan−1   (b) 3 V, tan−1  
 3  4 (c) current I (t) leads voltage V(t) by 180°
 5 (d) current I (t), lags voltage V(t) by 90°
(c) 6 V, tan−1   (d) None of these
 3 20 An inductor 20 mH, a capacitor 50 µF and a resistor
13 An ideal coil of 10 H is connected in series with a 40 Ω are connected in series across a source of emf
resistance of 5Ω and a battery of 5 V. After 2 s, V = 10 sin 340 t. The power loss in AC circuit is
[NEET 2016]
after the connection is made, the current flowing (a) 0.67 W (b) 0.76 W
(in ampere) in the circuit is [AIIMS 2018] (c) 0.89 W (d) 0.51 W
(a) (1 − e ) (b) e
(c) e −1 (d) (1 − e −1 )
21 A resistance R draws power P when connected to an
AC source. If an inductance is now placed in series
14 A series R-C circuit is connected to AC voltage with the resistance, such that the impedance of the
source. Consider two cases; (A) When C is without a circuit becomes Z, the power drawn will be
dielectric medium and (B) When C is filled with [CBSE AIPMT 2015]
2
dielectric of constant 4. The current I R through the R R
(a) P   (b) P
resistor and voltageVC across the capacitor are Z Z
compared in two cases. Which of the following is R
true? (c) P   (d) P
[AIIMS 2017] Z
(a) IRA > IRB (b) IRA < IRB
22 A condenser of 250 pF is connected in parallel to a
(c)VCA <VCB (d) None of these coil of inductance of 0.16 mH, while its effective
15 A filament bulb (500W, 100V) is to be used in a resistance is 20 Ω. Determine the resonant
230 V main supply. When a resistance R is frequency. [AIIMS 2015]
connected in series, it works perfectly and the bulb (a) 9 × 104 Hz (b) 16 × 107 Hz
5
consumes 500W. The value of R is [NEET 2016] (c) 8 × 10 Hz (d) 9 × 103 Hz
(a) 230 Ω (b) 46 Ω (c) 26 Ω (d) 13 Ω
23 An inductor coil is connected to a 12 V battery and
16 Which of the following combinations should be drawing a current 24 A. This coil is connected to
selected for better tuning of an L-C-R circuit used capacitor and an AC source of rms voltage rating
for communication? [NEET 2016] 24 V in the series connection. The phase difference
(a) R = 20 Ω, L = 1.5 H, C = 35 µF between current and emf is zero. The rms current
(b) R = 25 Ω, L = 2.5 H, C = 45 µF through the circuit would found to be [UP CPMT 2015]
(c) R = 15 Ω, L = 3.5 H, C = 30 µF (a) 48 A (b) 36 A
(d) R = 25 Ω, L = 1.5 H, C = 45 µF (c) 12 A (d) 24 A
17 The potential differences across the resistance, 24 A transformer is used to light 100 W-110 V lamp
capacitance and inductance are 80 V, 40 V and from 220 V mains. If the main current is 0.5 A, the
100 V respectively in an L-C-R circuit. The power efficiency of the transformer is [KCET 2015]
factor of this circuit is [NEET 2016] (a) 96% (b) 90%
(a) 0.4 (b) 0.5 (c) 0.8 (d) 1.0 (c) 99% (d) 95%
514 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

25 An alternating voltage given as, V = 100 2 sin100 t V 33 A step-down transformer has 50 turns on secondary
is applied to a capacitor of 1 µF. The current reading and 1000 turns on primary winding. If a transformer
of the ammeter will be equal to ......... mA. is connected to 220 V, 1 A AC source, then what is
[Guj. CET 2015] output current of the transformer? [KCET 2014]
(a) 20 (b) 10 1
(a) A (b) 20 A
(c) 40 (d) 80 20
26 The electric current in AC circuit is given by the (c) 100 A (d) 2 A
relation i = 3 sin ωt + 4 cos ωt. The rms value of the 34 In L-C-R series circuit, an alternating emf e and
current in the circuit in ampere is [EAMCET 2015] current i are given by the equations
5 e = 100 sin (100 t ) V
(a) (b) 5 2
2 π

2 1 i = 100 sin 100 t +  mA
(c) (d)  3
5 2
The average power dissipated in the circuit will be
27 In an L-C-R series resonant circuit, the capacitance [MHT CET 2014]
is changed from C to 4C . For the same resonant (a) 100 W (b) 10 W (c) 5 W (d) 2.5 W
frequency, the inductance should be changed from L 35 The average power dissipated in AC circuit is 2 W.
to [Kerala CEE 2015]
If a current flowing through a circuit is 2 A,
L L
(a) 2 L (b) (c) 4 L (d) impedance is 1 Ω, then what is the power factor of
2 4 the circuit? [KCET 2014]
L
(e) 1
8 (a) 0.5 (b) 1 (c) Zero (d)
2
28 The average power dissipated in a pure inductor is
[KCET 2015] 36 In an L-C -R series circuit, the potential difference
VI 2
1 between the terminals of the inductance is 60 V,
(a) (b) VI between the terminals of the capacitor is 30 V and
4 2
that across the resistance is 40 V. Then, the supply
(c) zero (d)VI 2
voltage will be equal to [UK PMT 2014]
29 A transformer having efficiency of 90% is working (a) 10 V (b) 50 V (c) 70 V (d) 130 V
on 200 V and 3 kW power supply. If the current in
37 An alternating emf given by equation
the secondary coil is 6 A, then the voltage across the
secondary coil and the current in the primary coil e = 300 sin [(100 π ) t] V
respectively are [CBSE AIPMT 2014] is applied to a resistance 100 Ω. The rms current
(a) 300 V, 15 A (b) 450 V, 15 A through the circuit is (in amperes) [EAMCET 2014]
(c) 450 V, 13.5 A (d) 600 V, 15 A 3 9 6
(a) (b) (c) 3 (d)
30 A dynamo converts [Kerala CEE 2014] 2 2 2
(a) mechanical energy into thermal energy 38 A series L-C-R circuit contains inductance 5 mH,
(b) electrical energy into thermal energy capacitance 2 µF and resistance 10 Ω. If the
(c) thermal energy into electrical energy frequency of AC source is varied, then what is the
(d) mechanical energy into electrical energy frequency at which maximum power is dissipated?
(e) electrical energy into mechanical energy [KCET 2014]
31 Transformer is used to [Kerala CEE 2014] 105 10−5
(a) Hz (b) Hz
(a) convert AC to DC voltage π π
(b) convert DC to AC voltage 2 5
(c) × 105 Hz (d) × 103 Hz
(c) obtain desired DC power π π
(d) obtain desired AC voltage and current
(e) obtain desired DC voltage and current 39 A coil of self-inductance L is connected in series
with a bulb B and an AC source. Brightness of the
32 A step-up transformer operates on a 230 V line and bulb decreases when [NEET 2013]
supplies a current of 2 A. The ratio of primary and (a) frequency of the AC source is decreased
secondary winding is 1 : 25. The primary current is (b) number of turns in the coil is reduced
[UK PMT 2014] (c) a capacitance of reactance X C = X L is included in the
(a) 12.5 A (b) 50 A same circuit
(c) 8.8 A (d) 25 A (d) an iron rod is inserted in the coil
Alternating Current 515

40 A 50 Hz AC signal is applied in a circuit of 48 A L-C-R circuit with L = 1.00 mH, C = 10

. µF and
inductance of (1 / π ) H and resistance 2100 Ω. The R = 50 Ω, is driven with 5 V AC voltage. At
impedance offered by the circuit is [J & K CET 2013] resonance, the current through the circuit is
(a) 1500 Ω (b) 1700 Ω (c) 2102 Ω (d) 2500 Ω [Kerala CET 2013]
41 If the alternating current I = I 1 cos ω t + I 2 sin ω t, (a) 0.2 A (b) 0.25 A (c) 0.15 A (d) 0.1 A
then the rms current is given by [J & K CET 2013]
(e) 0.3 A

 I12 49 For a series L-C -R circuit, the rms values of voltage

I1 + I 2 |I1 + I 2 | + I 22  I12 + I 22
(a) (b) (c)   (d) across various components areVL = 90 V,VC = 60 V
2 2  2  2 andVR = 40 V. The rms value of the voltage applied
42 A 0.01 H inductor and 3 π Ω resistance are to the circuit is [MP PMT 2013]
(a) 190 V (b) 110 V (c) 70 V (d) 50 V
connected in series with a 220 V, 50 Hz AC source.
The phase difference between the current and emf is 50 The power factor of an AC circuit having resistance
[EAMCET 2013] R and inductance L connected in series to an AC
π π π π source of angular frequency ω is [UP CPMT 2013]
(a) rad (b) rad (c) rad (d) rad
2 6 3 4 (a) zero (b) ωL /R
43 The alternating current in a circuit is given by R
(c) (d) R / ωL
I = 50 sin 314 t. The peak value and frequency of the R 2 + ω 2L2
current are [J & K CET 2013]
51 A transformer of 100% efficiency has 200 turns in
(a) I 0 = 25 A and f = 100 Hz the primary coil and 40000 turns in secondary coil.
(b) I 0 = 50 A and f = 50 Hz
It is connected to a 220 V main supply and
(c) I 0 = 50 A and f = 100 Hz
(d) I 0 = 25 A and f = 50 Hz
secondary feeds to a 100 kΩ resistance. The
potential difference per turn is [AIIMS 2012]
44 For a transformer, the turns ratio is 3 and its (a) 1.1 V (b) 25 V
efficiency is 0.75. The current flowing in the (c) 18 V (d) 11 V
primary coil is 2 A and the voltage applied to it is
100 V. Then the voltage and the current flowing in 52 A step down transformer is used on a 1000 V line to
the secondary coil are ........., respectively. deliver 20 A at 120 V at the secondary coil. If the
efficiency of the transformer is 80%, the current
[Karnataka CET 2013]
drawn from the line is [AIIMS 2012]
(a) 150 V, 1.5 A (b) 300 V, 0.5 A
(c) 300 V, 1.5 A (d) 150 V, 0.5A (a) 3 A (b) 30 A (c) 0.3 A (d) 2.4 A

45 In R-L-C series circuit, the potential difference 53 The current (I ) in the inductance is varying with
across each element is 20 V. Now the value of the time according to the plot as shown in figure.
resistance alone is doubled, then PD across R, L and
I
C respectively, [Karnataka CET 2013]
(a) 20 V, 10 V, 10 V (b) 20 V, 20 V, 20 V
(c) 20 V, 40 V, 40 V (d) 10 V, 20 V, 20 V
T/2
46 A series combination of resistor (R ), capacitor (C ) is
t T
connected to an AC source of angular frequency ω.
Keeping the voltage same, if the frequency is Which one of the following is the correct variation
changed to ω / 3, the current becomes half of the of voltage with time in the coil?
[CBSE AIPMT (Screening) 2012]
original current. Then, the ratio of the capacitive
reactance and resistance at the former frequency is V V
[Karnataka CET 2013]
(a) (b)
(a) 0.6 (b) 3 t
(c) 2 (d) 6 T/2 T T/2 T
47 If both the resistance and the inductance in an L-R t
AC series circuit are doubled the new impedance
V V
will be [Kerala CET 2013]
(a) halved (b) fourfold (c) (d)
(c) doubled (d) quadrupled t T/2
T/2 T T t
(e) unchanged
516 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

1 59 A generator at a utility company produces 100 A of

54 If in a L-R series circuit the power factor is and
2 current at 4000 V. The voltage is stepped up to
R = 100 Ω, then the value of L is, when AC mains is 240000 V by a transformer before it is sent on a
used [BCECE (Mains) 2012] high voltage transmission line. The current in
3 π 2 transmission line is [AFMC 2012]
(a) π H (b) H (c) H (d) H
π 3 π (a) 3.67 A (b) 2.67 A
(c) 1.67 A (d) 2.40 A
55 The self inductance of a choke coil is 10 mH. When
it is connected with a 10 V DC source, then the loss 60 The rms current in an AC circuit is 2 A. If the
of power is 20 W. When its is connected with 10 V wattless current be 3 A, what is the power factor of
AC source loss of power is 10 W. The frequency of the circuit? [JCECE 2012]
AC source will be [BCECE (Mains) 2012] 1 1
(a) (b)
(a) 80 Hz (b) 100 Hz (c) 120 Hz (d) 220 Hz 2 3
1 1
56 An electric motor runs on DC source of emf 200 V (c) (d)
and draws a current of 10 A. If the efficiency be 3 2
40%, then the resistance of armature is [Manipal 2012] 61 An AC ammeter is used to measure current in a
(a) 2 Ω (b) 8 Ω (c) 12 Ω (d) 16 Ω circuit. When a given direct current passes through
57 When an AC source of emf E = E 0 sin(100 t ) is the circuit, the AC ammeter reads 3A. When
another alternating current passes through the
connected across a circuit, the phase difference
circuit, the AC ammeter reads 4A. Then, the reading
between the emf E and the current I is observed to
of this ammeter, if DC and AC flow through the
be π / 4, as shown in the figure. If the circuit
circuit simultaneously, is [AIIMS 2011]
consists possibly only of R-C or R-L in series, which
(a) 3 A (b) 4 A
of the following combinations is possible? [AMU 2012] (c) 7 A (d) 5 A
I E 62 In an AC circuit, V and I are given by
V =150 sin (150 t ) volt and
  π 
I =150 sin 150 t +    ampere.
t
  3 
The power dissipated in the circuit is [KCET 2011]
(a) 106 W (b) 150 W
(a) R = 1 k Ω, C = 10 µF (b) R = 1k Ω, C = 1µF (c) 5625 W (d) zero
(c) R = 1 k Ω, L = 10 H (d) R = 1kΩ, L = 1 H 63 An AC source is 120 V- 60 Hz. The value of voltage
58 As given in the figure, a series circuit connected after (1 /720 ) s from start will be [BCECE 2011]
across a 200 V, 60 Hz line consists of a capacitor of (a) 20.2 V (b) 42.4 V
capacitive reactance 30 Ω, a non-inductive resistor of (c) 84.8 V (d) 106.8 V
44 Ω and a coil of inductive reactance 90 Ω and 64 Alternating current is transmitted at far off places
resistance 36 Ω. the power dissipated in the coil is (a) at high voltage and low current [JCECE 2011]
[AMU 2012] (b) at high voltage and high current
XC = 30 Ω (c) at low voltage and low current
(d) at low voltage and high current
200 V 65 A transformer has 500 primary turns and 10
60 Hz R1 = 44 Ω secondary turns. If the secondary has a resistive load
of 15 Ω, the currents in the primary and secondary
Coil with respectively, are [DUMET 2011]
XL = 90 Ω (a) 0.16A, 3.2 × 10−3 A
R2 = 36 Ω
(b) 3.2 × 10−3 A, 0.16 A
(a) 320 W (b) 176 W (c) 144 W (d) 0 (c) 0.16 A, 0.16 A
(d) 3.2 × 10−3 A, 3.2 × 10−3 A