Direct current(DC):
time.
Example: Battery, cell, solar cell
Alternating current(AC): The current whose magnitude and direction changes
continuously with time.
Example: Electric generator.
Variation of current/voltage with time for DC and AC shown below
Voltage(emf) and current in the alternating current:
We know that the source of AC is electric generator as we have seen in EMI topic.
The emf developed is given by,
??????=??????
�sin??????�
Hence current in the circuit is also given by ohm’s law if the R be the resistance of the circuit,
??????=
??????
�
=
??????
�sin??????�
�
Or
??????=??????
��??????�??????�−−−−??????ℎ??????� ??????� �� ??????����������� ������� �� ��� �??????�� ′�′
Where,
??????
�=
??????
�
�
−−−���� �� ���??????��� ������� ����� �� ????????????
Note: The frequency of an Alternating current in INDIA is 50Hz.
t
t
Direct current Alternating current
, PU I & II (Sci. & Commerce), NTSE, Olympiad, KVPY, NDA, CET, NEET, JEE. Call: 9663320948
The current whose magnitude and direction remain constant with
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 128
Average value of AC over one complete cycle of AC is ZERO.As alternating current is
positive in one half cycle and equally negative in the other half cycle so its mean value
over complete cycle is zero
??????=
�
??????
=�
We cannot measure AC by using simple moving coil galvanometer, it can be
measured by using hot-wire ammeter which is based on heating effect of current.
Different values of Alternating Current
Mean OR Average value of A.C.- It is that amount of direct current when passed
through a circuit for a half the time period of A.C., it send same amount of charges
through the circuit as sent by the A.C. through same circuit in the same time.
??????
�??????=??????
�=
�
??????
??????
�=�.��� ??????
�
Where, ??????
�− ���� ����� �� ??????.??????.
Also for emf we can write,
??????
�??????=??????
�=
�
??????
??????
�=�.��� ??????
�
Root Mean Square(RMS) or Effective value of A.C.- It is that amount of direct current
when passed through a resistor for any duration of time period, produces same
amount of heat in the resistor as it produced by A.C. in the same resistor in the same
time.
??????
��� �� ??????
���=
??????
�
√�
=�.��� ??????
�
Also for emf we can write,
??????
��� �� ??????
���=
??????
�
√�
=�.��� ??????
�
Numerical 1):-A light bulb is rated at 100W for a 220 V supply. Find (a) the resistance of the
bulb; (b) the peak voltage of the source; and (c) the rms current through the bul.
Numerical 2):-A 100 Ω resistor is connected to a 220 V, 50 Hz ac supply. (a) What is the rms
value of current in the circuit? (b) What is the net power consumed over a full cycle?
Numerical 3):-a) The peak voltage of an ac supply is 300 V. What is the rms voltage?
(b) The rms value of current in an ac circuit is 10 A. What is the peak current?
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 129
PHASOR AND PHASOR DIAGRAM
“A rotating vector that represents a varying physical quantity is called as Phasor.”
The length of the vector represents the magnitude and and its projection on fixed
axis gives the instantaneous value of the quantity
To study the alternating current we have to consider a alternating voltage and
current as rotating phasors.
“Phasor diagram are diagram representing alternating current and voltage of same
frequency as vectors or phasors with the phase angle between them and rotating about the
origin.”
The vertical components of phasors V and I represent the sinusoidally varying
quantities v and i. The angle between the V and I phasor is known as phasor angle or simply
Phase(∅)
AC VOLTAGE APPLIED TO A RESISTOR(R)(3marks)
Let a resistor of resistance R is connected to a source of an alternating emf is
??????=??????
��??????�??????�−−−−(�)
Let I be the current in the circuit at any instant of time t , then potential across resistor is
given by ohm’s law,
??????=
??????
�
=
??????
�sin??????�
�
??????=??????
��??????�??????�−−−−(�) (∵ ??????
�=
??????
�
�
)
Comparing equation (1) and (2) , Current I and the voltage(emf) ?????? both are in the same
phase. This means that both I and ?????? attains the maximum, minimum and zero at the same
time. The phasor diagram for purely resistive circuit is shown in below diagram.
The phase angle between the current I and ?????? is zero. i.e. (∅=0
�
)(1mark)
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 130
AC VOLTAGE APPLIED TO A INDUCTOR(L)(3marks)
Let an Inductor, L is connected to source of alternating current , ?????? as shown in fig(a). The
varying emf is given by,
??????=??????
��??????�??????�−−−−(�)
The circuit is now purely Inductive a.c. circuit. Let the current I flows through the inductor,
then back emf is generated due to EMI which oppose the applied emf.
??????=??????
�??????
��
??????
��??????�??????�=??????
????????????
??????�
���� �����??????��(1)
�??????=
??????
�
??????
�??????�??????�.��
Integrating above equation we get
∫�??????=∫
??????
�
??????
�??????�??????�.��
??????=−
??????
??????
????????????
���??????�⟹??????=−??????
�cos??????�
where, ??????
�=
????????????
????????????
is the peak value of the current.
??????=−??????
��??????�(
??????
2
−??????�) ∵[cos??????=�??????�(
??????
2
−??????)]
??????
=
??????
�
sin
??????�
Circuit and Phasor digram for only containing resistor(R)
??????
��??????�??????�
�
??????
��??????�??????�
� ??????
??????
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 131
??????=??????
��??????�(??????�−
??????
�
)−−−−(�)
Comparing equation (1) and (2), current I lags behind the emf ?????? by
??????
�
. It means the phase
angle between I and ?????? ??????�
??????
�
. i.e. (∅=90
�
) as shown in phase diagram (b).
INDUCTIVE REACTANCE (??????
??????):It is the effective resistance offered by the inductor to the
flow of A.C. It has unit ohm(Ω).
We know ??????
�=
??????
??????
????????????
and ??????
�=
??????
??????
�
Comparing above equation we write, �=??????
??????=????????????
??????
??????=????????????=�??????�??????
Where, f is the frequency of A.C. supply.
For A.C. ⟹ ??????
??????∝�.
For D.C. ⟹ f=0 hence ??????
??????=0
Thus an inductor allows D.C. through it
Easily, but opposes the floe of A.C. through it.
??????
���=
??????
�
√�
=
??????
�
????????????√�
=
??????
���
????????????
=
??????
���
??????
??????
(a)Circuit (b) Phasor digram (c) variation of I and ?????? with ??????�
??????
=
??????
�
sin
??????�
AC VOLTAGE APPLIED TO A CAPACITOR(3marks)
Let a capacitor, C is connected to a source of an alternating emf. The capacitor get charged
during half cycle and discharges during next half cycle. As result there is a continuous
current in the circuit as shown in fig(a) below.
We know ,
??????=??????
��??????�??????�−−−−(�)
At any instant,
Potential across capacitor(V) = Applied emf(??????)
??????=
�
??????
⟹�=????????????
�=???????????? (∵??????=?????? ) ,���� �����??????��(1)
�=????????????
��??????�??????�
By definition of the current at any instant of time ‘t’ is ??????=
��
��
??????=
??????
�??????��??????�
(
1
????????????
⁄)
=??????
�??????��??????� �ℎ���,??????
�=
??????
�
(
�
????????????
⁄)
=���� �������
??????=??????
��??????�(??????�+
??????
�
)−−−(�)
Comparing equation (1) and (2) we can say that current leads the voltage(emf) by angle
??????
�
as
shown in the phasor diagram below(b).Also phase angle is ∅=
??????
�
=??????�
�
(a)Circuit (b) Phasor digram (c) variation of I and ?????? with ??????�
??????
��??????�(??????�
�+
??????
�
)
??????
��??????�??????�
�
??????
=
??????
�
sin
??????�
CAPACITIVE REACTANCE(??????
??????):It is the effective resistance offered by the capacitor to the
flow of A.C. It has unit ohm(Ω).
We know ??????
�=
??????�
(
�
????????????
⁄)
and ??????
�=
????????????
�
Comparing above equation we write, �=??????
??????=
1
????????????
⁄
Where, f is the frequency of A.C. supply.
For A.C. ⟹ ??????
??????∝
1
??????
.
For D.C. ⟹ f = 0 hence ??????
??????=∞
Thus an capacitor allows A.C. through it
Easily, but block the flow of D.C. through it.
??????
���=
??????
�
√�
=
??????
�
�
????????????
⁄√�
=
??????
���
�
????????????
⁄
=
??????
���
??????
??????
AC VOLTAGE APPLIED TO A SERIES LCR CIRCUIT(5 marks)
Suppose a resistance R, inductor L, and capacitor C are connected in series to a
alternating source of emf ?????? given by,
??????=??????
��??????�??????�−−−−(�)
Graph of ??????
?????? versus �
??????
??????
f
??????=??????
�sin??????�
??????
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 134
??????
??????
→
R
Ø
??????�
Ø
R
Z
ε
(b)Phasor diagram: For LCR circuit
(c)Impedance(Z) triangle
From circuit diagram, if I be the current in the circuit then applying ohm’s law to each
component,
??????
�=??????
�� ??????
??????=??????
�??????
?????? ??????
??????=??????
�??????
??????−−−−−(2)
??????
?????? ��� ??????
?????? are in opposite direction, their resultant is ( ??????
??????− ??????
??????).Hence the resultant of (
??????
??????− ??????
??????) and ??????
� is equal to the applied emf (??????).
(??????
�
)
�
=(??????
�
)
�
+( ??????
??????− ??????
??????
)
�
by Pythagoras thm.
From equation (1) and (2)
??????
�=√(??????
�
)
�
+( ??????
??????− ??????
??????
)
�
Impedance(Z):It is an effective resistance offered by LCR-circuit to the flow of an A.C.
current through it. It has unit ohm(Ω).
�=√(�)
�
+( ??????
??????− ??????
??????
)
�
=√(�)
�
+( ????????????−
�
????????????
)
�
Special cases
1) When ??????
??????>??????
?????? then emf is ahead of current by phase angle Ø which is given by,
�??????�∅=
??????
??????−??????
??????
�
�� ??????��∅=
�
�
??????ℎ� ????????????� �??????���??????� ??????� ������ ??????�����??????��
2) When ??????
??????<??????
?????? then current is ahead of emf by phase angle Ø which is given by,
�??????�∅=
??????
??????−??????
??????
�
�� ??????��∅=
�
�
??????ℎ� ????????????� �??????���??????� ??????� ������ ??????����??????�??????��
3) When ??????
??????=??????
?????? then current and emf both are phase angle i.e. Ø=0
??????
�=
??????
�
�
�� ??????
���=
??????
���
�
??????ℎ� ????????????� �??????���??????� ??????� ������ ??????����??????�??????��
Resonance condition of LCR circuit
A LCR circuit is said to be in the resonance condition when the current through it has
maximum value.
Resonant Frequency(fr): The frequency at which the current through LCR circuit is
maximum. At resonant frequency the impedance(Z) is minimum. The resonance occurs
when
??????
??????=??????
??????
2??????�??????=
1
2??????�??????
Note: 1)At resonance current and voltage are in same phase i.e Ø=0. The circuit is
purely resistive. The current value is given by , ??????
�=
??????
??????
�
2)At resonance the power factor is unity ??????��∅=�
�
�=
�
�??????√????????????
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 136
Sharpness of resonance: Quality factor:The sharpness of the resonance
depends on the resistance value. If the resistance is small then resonance curve
has sharp peak, and flat for the large resistance. The sharpness of resonance is
measured by quantity called as Quality Factor(Q).
Quality Factor(Q):It is definedas the ratio of the angular resonant frequency to
the band width of the circuit. It is given by,
�=
????????????
??????
2−??????
1
=
????????????
2△??????
=
??????????????????
�
=
??????????????????
�
=
1
??????
????????????�
=
1
�
√
??????
??????
It is dimensionless quantity.
POWER IN AC CIRCUIT: THE POWER FACTOR
The rate at which the electrical energy is consumed in an electrical circuit is called
as power.
The instantaneous power is given by,
�
��=??????
���??????
���cos∅ but cos∅=
�
�
Power factor(??????��∅): The power factor is defined as the ratio os the true power to the
apparent power of an A.C. circuit. It is dimensionless quantity. It is given by
cos∅=
�
�
=
�
√(�)
�
+( ????????????−
�
????????????
)
�
Special cases:
Purely resistive circuit: Here ∅=0 and cos∅=1
�
��=??????
���??????
���×1=??????
���×??????
���
??????
�??????=
(??????
���
)
�
�
Purely inductive circuit: Here ∅=
??????
2
and cos∅=0
??????
�??????=�
Purely capacitive circuit: Here ∅=
??????
2
and cos∅=0
??????
�??????=�
In series LCR circuit:
�
��=??????
���??????
���cos∅
Where ∅=�??????�
−�
(
??????
??????−??????
??????
�
)
Power dissipated at resonance condition in LCR-circuit:
Here ∅=0 and cos∅=1 also ??????
??????=??????
??????
�
��=??????
���??????
���
Wattles Current: The current in the A.C. circuit is said to wattles if the power
consumed in the circuit is ZERO.i.e. �
��=0 (1marks)
Numerical:A sinusoidal voltage of peak value 283 V and frequency 50 Hz is applied to a
series LCR circuit in which R = 3 Ω, L = 25.48 mh, and C = 796 µf. Find (a) the impedance
of the circuit; (b) the phase difference between the voltage across the source and the
current; (c) the power dissipated in the circuit; and (d) the power factor.
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 138
LC- OSCILLATIONS: When a charged capacitor is allowed to discharge through a
inductor, an electrical oscillation of constant amplitude and frequency are produced. These
oscillations are called as LC- oscillations.
Frequency of oscillation is given by,
�=
�
�??????√????????????
ANALOGIES BETWEEN MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL QUANTITIES
Mechanical system Electrical system
Mass, m Inductance, L
Displacement , x Charge, q
Velocity, �=
????????????
??????�
Current, ??????=
??????�
??????�
Force constant, k Reciprocal capacitance,
1
??????
LC oscillator are damped due to following reasons: Means amplitude of
oscillation goes on decreases due to,
1) Every inductor has some resistance
2) total energy of the system would not remain constant
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 139
TRANSFORMER
The electrical device which change (or transform) an alternating voltage from one to
another of greater or smaller value.
Transformer works on the principal of mutual inductance.
Construction: A transformer consists of two sets of coils, insulated from each other. They
are wound on a soft-iron core, either one on top of the other or on separate limbs of the core.
One of the coils called the primary coil has Np turns. The other coil is called the secondary
coil it has Ns turns. The primary coil is the input coil and the secondary coil is the output coil
of the transformer.
Working: It works on the principle of mutual induction of two coils or Faraday Law’s Of
Electromagnetic induction. When current in the primary coil is changed the flux linked to the
secondary coil also changes. Hence an EMF is induced in the secondary coil due to Faraday
law’s of electromagnetic induction.
Then the induced emf in the second coil is given by,
??????
�=−??????
�
�∅
��
−−−(1)
Also the induced back emf in the primary coil is given by,
??????
�=−??????
�
�∅
��
−−−(2)
Dividing equation (1) and(2) we get,
Two arrangements for winding of primary and secondary coil in a transformer:
(a) two coils on top of each other, (b) two coils on separate limbs of the core.
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 140
??????
�
??????
�
=
??????
�
??????
�
(∵??????
�=??????
� ��� ??????
�=??????
�)
??????
�
??????
�
=
??????
�
??????
�
−−−(3)
If there is no loss of energy while transform, then there is no loss of energy , then
Input power = Output power
�
??????����=�
������
??????
�??????
�=??????
�??????
�
??????
�
??????
�
=
??????
�
??????
�
−−−−(4)
From (3) and (4) ,
??????
??????
??????
�
=
??????
�
??????
??????
=
??????
�
??????
??????
In transformers, small energy losses do occur due to the following
reasons(3marks)
Copper loss
Eddy current loss
Hysteresis loss
Flux leakage
Humming loss
Application of Transformer
Small transformer used in radio, mobile charger, loudspeaker
In voltage regulator, refrigerator, computer etc.
Electric welding
Transmission of electrical energy.
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 141
TYPE OF TRANSFORMERS
Step-up transformer
The transformer which
increases the input voltage.
The number of primary turns in
the primary coil is less than that
of secondary coil.
Np < NS
Step-down transformer
The transformer which decrease
the input voltage.
The number of primary turns in
the primary coil is greater than
that of secondary coil.
Np > NS
Advantages of A.C. over D.C
The generation of A.C. is more economical than D.C.
A.C can be easily stepped up or stepped down using transformer, but cannot D.C
A.C. can be transmitted through a long distance without loss of energy.
A.C easily converted into D.C using rectifiers.
Machine works on A.C are simple
Disadvantages of A.C. over D.C
Peak value of A.C is high. It is dangerous to work with it.
In phenomenon like electroplating, electrolysis A.C cannot be used.
A.C. transmitted more from surface of conductor than from inside, hence
several insulation thin wires are required for transmission.
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 142
ONE MARK QUESTIONS
1. What is the phase angle between current and voltage across a resistor when AC is applied
to a pure resistor?
2. Define root mean square value of current or voltage.
3. How the RMS value and peak value of current /voltage are related?
4. If the peak value of current is 1.41A, then what is the value of root mean square current?
5. What is a phasor diagram in AC circuits?
6. Define power factor in an AC circuit.
7. What is wattles current?
8. The peak voltage of an AC supply is 300 V. What is the RMS voltage?
9. Write the expression for inductive reactance in terms of frequency of AC applied.
10.Write the expression for capacitive reactance in terms of frequency of AC applied.
11.What is the power factor of an AC circuit containing a pure inductor?
12.What is the power factor of an AC circuit containing only capacitor?
13.What is the power factor of an AC circuit containing only pure resistor?
14.Give the expression for power factor in an AC circuit containing an inductor, a capacitor
and a resistor in series.
15.What is electrical resonance in RLC series circuit?
16.Define resonant frequency of an RLC series circuit.
17.What is an ideal transformer?
18.On what principle a transformer works?
19.The number of turns in the primary of a transformer is greater than the number of turns
in the secondary. Does the voltage steps-up or steps down in it?
20.What is a step-up transformer?
21.What is a step-down transformer?
22.What is the reactance of an inductor in a dc circuit carrying a steady current?
23.Which physical quantity in electrical system is analogue to ‘mass’ of the mechanical
system?
TWO MARK QUESTIONS
1. Mention any two advantages of AC over DC.
2. What is quality factor in an LCR series circuit? Give the expression for it.
3. Write the expression for resonant frequency of RLC series circuit and explain the terms.
4. Alternating current is represented by the equation I = I0 Sin(314)t . Find the value of
frequency of AC.
5. Write any two differences between inductive reactance and capacitive reactance.
6. Give any two differences between step- up transformer and step- down transformer.
7. What is the phase difference between voltage and current when an AC is connected to a
capacitor? Represent it using phasor diagram.
,
7.Alternating Current
Coaching for 8
-10
th Page 143
8. What is the phase difference between voltage and current when an AC is connected to an
inductor? Represent it using phasor diagram.
9. What is the phase difference between voltage and current when an AC is connected to a
resistor? Represent it using phasor diagram.
10. Draw a graph of variation of voltage and current versus ωt in case of an inductor
connected to an AC source.
11. Draw a graph of variation of voltage and current versus ωt in case of a resistor connected
to an AC source.
12. Draw a graph of variation of voltage and current versus ωt in case of an inductor
connected to an AC source.
13. What is capacitive reactance? Give the expression for it in terms of frequency of applied
AC.
14. What is inductive reactance? Give the expression for it in terms of frequency of applied AC.
15. A power transmission line feeds input power at 2300 V to a step down transformer with
its primary windings having 4000 turns. What should be the number of turns in the
secondary in order to get output power at 230 V?
16. A charged 30 μF capacitor is connected to a 27 mH inductor. What is the angular
frequency of free oscillations of the circuit?
THREE MARK QUESTIONS
1. Derive the expression for current in case of AC applied to a pure resistor.
2. Obtain the expression for current in case of AC applied to an inductor.
3. Derive the expression for current through a capacitor when AC is applied.
4. What is resonance in LCR series circuit? Obtain the expression for resonant frequency of
it.
5. Mention any three energy losses in a transformer.
6. Explain how power is dissipated by writing the expression for power factor in case of (i)
pure inductive or capacitive (ii) series LCR (iii) series LCR at resonance circuits.
,
7.Alternating Current
th Page 144
FIVE MARK QUESTIONS
1. Show that the relation between AC current and AC voltage in case of AC applied to a
resistor is similar to that in the DC applied to it. (U)
2. Derive the expression for impedance and hence the current of an RLC series circuit
connected to an AC using phasor diagram.
3. Give the construction and working of a transformer.
NUMERICAL PROBLEMS
1. A 50Ω resistor, 0.5H inductor and 200µF capacitor are connected in series with 220V and
50Hz source. Find the impedance of the circuit and hence the current.
[149.7Ω, 1.47A]
2. A current of 4A flows in a coil when connected to a 12V d.c.source. if the same coil is
connected to 12V, 50Hz a.c. source, a current of 2.4A flows in the circuit. Calculate the self-
inductance of the coil. [80mH]
3. A resistance of 10Ω is connected in series with an inductor of inductance 0.5H. These two
are connected to 200V, 50Hz a.c. source. Calculate the capacitance that should be put in
series with the combination to obtain the maximum current? Also find the current through
the circuit. [20.24µF, 20A]
4. A source of 220V, 40Hz is connected to a series combination of 6Ω resistor, 0.01H
inductor. Calculate the phase angle and the power factor of the circuit. [22
0
42’, 0.92]
5. In a step-down transformer having primary to secondary turns ratio 20:1, the input
voltage applied is 250V and output current is 8A. Assuming 100% efficiency calculate
(i) voltage across the secondary coil,
(ii) current in primary coil
(iii) output power.
[12.5V, 0.4A, 100W]