M.E.

S INDIAN SCHOOL, DOHA - QATAR

Notes 2020- 2021

Section : BOYS’/GIRLS’ Date: 15-07-2020

Class & Div. : XII (All Divisions) Subject: Physics
Lesson / Topic: Alternating Current
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ALTERNATING CURRENT

Alternating current: An alternating current is that current whose magnitude changes continuously
with time and direction reverses periodically.

Direct current: Direct current is that current which flows with a constant magnitude in the same
direction.

FIGURE 1

We know that when a coil is rotated in a magnetic field, an alternating emf is induced in it, which is
given by the relation:

E = E0sinωt or V = Vm sinωt

Suppose this emf is applied to a circuit of resistance R. Then by ohm’s law, the current in the circuit
will be

I= = ωt or I = Im ωt.Here Im = = Peak or maximum value of ac

Thus the current in the circuit varies sinusoidally with time and is called alternating current.

Mean or Average value of ac: It is defined as that value of direct current which send the same charge
in a circuit in the same time as is sent by the given alternating current in its half time period. It is
denoted by Iav or I

Iav = Im =0.637 Im

Similarly Vav = 0.637 Em

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Root mean square(rms) value of ac: It is defined as that value of a direct current/emf which
produces the same heating effect in a given resistor as is produced by the given alternating current
/emf when passed for the same time. It is denoted by Irms or Vrms

Irms = = 0.707 Im
√

Vrms= = 0.707 Vm
√

Phasor diagram : A diagram that represents alternating current and voltage of the same frequency as
rotating vectors (phasors) along with proper phase angle between them is called phasor diagram.

AC CIRCUIT CONTAINING ONLY A RESISTOR:

FIGURE 2
As shown in figure, suppose a resistor of resistance R connected to a source of alternating voltage V
is given by
V = Vm sinωt …….. (1)
If I be the current in the circuit at instant t, then the potential drop across R will be IR. According to
kirchhoff’s rule,
IR = Vm sinωt

I= sinωt

I = Imsinωt ……………. (2)

Where Im = = the maximum or peak value of a.c

From equation (1) and (2) ,it is clear that both voltage and current are in phase.
The phasor diagram and graphical representation for resistor circuit is shown in below Figures 3 & 4.

FIGURE 3
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 FIGURE 4
Ac circuit containing only an inductor

FIGURE 5
Figure shows an inductor of inductance L connected to a source of emf V, is given by:
V = Vm sinωt …….. (1)

As the alternating current flows through the inductor, a back emf -L is setup which opposes the

applied emf. Under ideal condition; V = -e

Vm sinωt = -(-L )

Or, dI = sinωtdt

Integrating, I = ∫

I= cos

I= sin( )

I = Im sin( ) …….. (2)

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Where, Im =

The equation (2) shows that current I lags behind voltage V by a phase angle of . The phasor

diagram and graphical representation for an inductor circuit is shown in Figure 5.

Inductive Reactance: Let, I = sin( )

I= sin( )

Where XL = L , is called Inductive Reactance. It is a measure of the effective resistance or opposition

offered by the inductor to the flow of ac through it.
XL = L = L×2 f, where f = frequency of ac supply. The SI unit of Inductive Reactance is ohm
(Ω).
For ac, XL α f.
For dc, f = 0; so XL = 0. Thus an inductor allows dc flow through it easily but opposes the flow of ac
through it.
Variation of Inductive Reactance with Frequency:

FIGURE 6
AC CIRCUIT CONTAINING ONLY A CAPACITOR

FIGURE 7

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As shown in figure, consider a pure capacitor C connected across a source of alternating voltage V
is given by V = Vm sinωt …….. (1)

Let potential difference across capacitor is V =

At any instant, Potential difference across the capacitor plates = Applied voltage

= Vm sinωt

Q = C Vm sinωt
So, current at any instant is

I= = C Vm sinωt)

I = ω C Vm cosωt

I= sin( )

I = Im sin( ) ………………………. (2)

Where, Im =

The equation (2) shows that current I leads voltage V by a phase angle of .

The phasor diagram and graphical representation for an capacitor circuit is shown in Figure 8.

FIGURE 8

Capacitive Reactance: Let, I = sin( )

I= sin( )

Where XC = , is called capacitive Reactance. It is a measure of the effective resistance or

opposition offered by the capacitor to the flow of ac through it.

XC = = . where f = frequency of ac supply. The SI unit of Inductive Reactance is ohm (Ω).

For ac, XC α.

For dc, f = 0; so XC =infinity . Thus a capacitor allows a.c flow through it easily but opposes the flow of
d.c through it
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VARIATION OF INDUCTIVE REACTANCE WITH FREQUENCY

FIGURE 9
SERIES LCR CIRCUIT

FIGURE 10
As shown in figure, suppose a resistance R, an inductance L and capacitance C are connected in series
to a source of alternating emf V is given by
V= Vm sinωt
Let I be the current in the series circuit at any instant.Then

VR= IR, VL= IXL= IL and VC = IXC =

Expression for impedance using phasor method
As VL and VC in opposite direction, their resultant is VL- VC

FIGURE 11
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Apply Pythagorean theorem in Δ OAB
OB2 =OA2 + AB2
V2 = VR 2+ ( VL - VC)2
V2 = (IR)2 +( IXL - IXC)2
V2 = I2[R2 +( XL - XC)2]

= R2 +( XL - XC)2

=√

Z =√
Z is called impedance (effective resistance) of LCR circuit
From Δ OAB we have

= = = =

Or ϕ=
RESONANCE CONDITION OF A SERIES LCR CIRCUIT
A series LCR circuit is said to be in the resonance condition under the current through it has its maximum

value. Let I =
√

I =
√

The value of I is maximum when =0

Or
Or =
√

At this condition impedance Z =√

Or Z=R
Expression for resonant frequency

At resonance condition =
√

Let resonant frequency f =

f=
√

Sharpness of resonance
 For low value of resistance,(R3) the current amplitude is maximum
 When the angular frequency AC source is close to the resonant frequency 0, a large current
flows through the circuits.
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  Therefore, for sharpness of resonance in LCR circuit, the ohmic resistance of the circuit should
be low.

FIGURE 12

GRAPH BETWEEN I AND ω:

FIGURE 13

Here ω2 = ω0+Δω and ω1 = ω0-Δω

The term ω2- ω1 = 2Δω is known as bandwidth.
The term is known as Quality factor (Q-factor)

The above equation can also be defined as the ratio of the voltage drop across the inductance (or capacitance) at
resonance to the applied voltage.
√
Q= =
√

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AC CIRCUIT CONTAINING L AND R IN SERIES:

FIGURE 14

Consider a resistor R and inductance L connected in series to a source of alternating emf V given by
V= Vm sinωt
Let I be the current through the series circuit at any instant.
Apply Pythagorean theorem in Δ OAB
OB2= OA2+AB2
V2 = VR2+VL2
V2 = (IR)2+(ILω)2
V2 = I2(R2+L2ω2)

= R2+L2ω2

= )1/2

Z= )1/2 is called impedance of L-R circuit

From Δ OAB, = = = = =

Or ϕ= =
AC circuit containing C and R in series

FIGURE 15

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Consider a resistor R and capacitance C connected in series to a source of alternating emf V given by
V= Vm sinωt
Let I be the current through the series circuit at any instant.
Apply Pythagorean theorem in Δ OAB
OB2= OA2+AB2
V2 = VR2+VC2

V2 = (IR)2+( )2

V2 = I2(R2+ )2

= R2 + )2

= )2)1/2

Z= )2)1/2 is called impedance of L-R circuit

From Δ OAB, = = = = =

Or ϕ= =
AVERAGE POWER OF AN AC CIRCUIT
The instantaneous power of an AC circuit is defined as the product of instantaneous EMF and
instantaneous current in it.
Let the instantaneous emf be V= Vm sinωt

Instantaneous current be I = Im sin(ωt+ϕ)

The small amount of energy consumed during the small interval of time dt is given by
dw = VIdt
dw = Vm sinωt Im sin(ωt+ϕ) dt

dw = Vm Im sinωt sin(ωt+ϕ) dt

dw = Vm Im sinωt (sinωt cosϕ + cosωt sinϕ) dt

2
dw = Vm Im(sin ωt cosϕ + sinωt cosωt sinϕ) dt

dw = [Vm Im( ) cosϕ+( )sinϕ] dt

dw = [cosϕ – cosϕ cos 2ωt + sinϕ sin2ωt]dt

The energy consumed in a cycle (is from 0-T) is given by

W= [∫ cosϕ ∫ + sinϕ ∫ ]

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We have ∫ =∫ =0

So, W = cosϕ ∫

W= cosϕ .T

Now average power = = cosϕ

ie average power = √ √
cosϕ
Or average power = cosϕ
ie average power = Apparent power ×power factor

LC oscillations
When a charged capacitor is allowed to discharge through a non – resistive inductor , electrical
oscillations of constant amplitude and frequency are produced. These oscillations are called LC-
oscillations.

FIGURE 16

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IMPORTANT FORMULAE TO REMEMBER:
 Equation for alternating emf: V= Vm sinωt
 Equation for alternating current: I = Im ωt

AC Circuit Containing only a Resistor:

 Equation for alternating emf: V= Vm sinωt
 Equation for alternating current: I = Im ωt
AC Circuit Containing only a Inductor:
 Equation for alternating emf: V= Vm sinωt

 Equation for alternating current: I = Im )

 Inductive Reactance: XL = L = L×2 f
AC Circuit Containing only a Capacitor:
 Equation for alternating emf: V= Vm sinωt

 Equation for alternating current: I = Im )

 Capacitive Reactance: XC = =

LCR Series Circuit:

 Impedance: Z =√

 Phase Angle: ϕ =

LR Series Circuit:
 Impedance: Z =√

 Phase Angle: ϕ = ….. (Inductor dominated circuit)

CR Series Circuit:
 Impedance: Z =√

 Phase Angle: ϕ = ….. (Capacitor dominated circuit)

Quality Factor:
√
 Q= =
√

Average Power of an AC Circuit:

 Average power = √ √
cosϕ…..OR

 Average power = cosϕ

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