Investigatory Project
Topic: Alternating Current (AC) Circuits — LCR
Series Circuit (Resonance)
Class: XII (CBSE)
Submitted by: Jeenal Jain
School: St. Matthew’s Sr. secondary school
Subject: Physics
Guide Teacher: Kshitija mam
Year: 2025-26
Certificate
This is to certify that the investigatory project
entitled "Alternating Current (AC) Circuits
— LCR Series Circuit (Resonance)" has
been carried out by Jeenal Jain in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the Class XII
Board Examination conducted by Central
Board of Secondary Education.
Signature of Teacher: ____________
Date: ____________
Index
1. Aim
2. Introduction and Background
3. Theory
4. Apparatus/Materials
5. Circuit Diagram (description)
6. Experimental Procedure
7. Observations and Tabulation
8. Calculations (theoretical and experimental)
9. Graphs
10. Result
11. Conclusion
12. Applications
13. Precautions
14. Viva Questions (with answers)
15. Bibliography
1. Aim
To study resonance in a series LCR circuit: determine the
resonance frequency experimentally, compare with the
theoretical value, plot current versus frequency curve,
and calculate quality factor (Q) and bandwidth.
2. Introduction and Background
An LCR series circuit consists of an inductor (L), a
capacitor (C) and a resistor (R) connected in series to an
alternating voltage source. At a particular frequency —
called the resonant frequency — the inductive
reactance and capacitive reactance are equal in
magnitude and opposite in sign, making their net
reactance zero. At resonance the circuit behaves purely
resistive and the current is maximum. Resonance is the
operating principle behind radio tuners, TV, filters and
many communication devices.
3. Theory
Angular frequency: ω=2 πf .
Inductive reactance: X L =ωL.
Capacitive reactance: X C =1/(ωC ).
Impedance of series LCR: Z=√ R + ¿ ¿.
2
Current amplitude: I =V rms /Z for an applied rms voltage.
Resonance condition: X L =X C ⇒ ω 0 L=1 /(ω 0 C ).
1
Therefore, resonant angular frequency: ω 0=
√ LC
ω0 1
Resonant frequency (in Hz): f 0= =
2 π 2 π √ LC
√
ω0 L 1 L
Quality factor (Q) for series circuit: Q=
R
=
R C
Bandwidth (Δf): Δ f =f −f , where (f1) and (f2) are
2 1
frequencies at which the current falls to I / √ 2.
max
Relationship: Q=f / Δ f .
0
4. Materials Required
Function generator (or AC signal generator) —
frequency variable (a few Hz up to tens of kHz).
Resistor (known value) — e.g., 100 Ω (use a few
values if you want extra observations).
Inductor — e.g., 50 mH coil (value should be
measured or taken from label).
Capacitor — e.g., 0.01 μF (10 nF) ceramic or
polyester (value must be known).
AC voltmeter and ammeter.
Connecting wires, breadboard or PCB, plug and
sockets.
Power supply for function generator / small
transformer if needed.
5. Circuit Diagram
6. Experimental Procedure
[Link] and record actual values of R, L and C using
meter. Note uncertainties if available.
[Link] R, L and C in series to the function generator
as described.
[Link] the function generator to a small AC amplitude
(e.g., 1 V rms or 2 V peak-to-peak; keep amplitude
constant during measurements).
[Link] with a low frequency (e.g., 500 Hz). Measure
and record the current (or voltage across R) and the
input voltage.
[Link] frequency in small steps (for example 200–
500 Hz steps around expected resonance; smaller
steps near resonance — e.g., 50–100 Hz) and record
current at each frequency. Cover frequencies below
and above predicted f0.
[Link] the frequency (fexp) at which the current is
maximum — this is the experimental resonance
frequency.
[Link] frequencies (f1) and (f2) on either side of (fexp)
where the current equals I / √ 2. Calculate bandwidth
max
Δ f =f −f and quality factor Q=f / Δ f .
2 1 exp
[Link] theoretical resonant frequency using
f =1/( 2 π √ LC) and compare with experimental value.
0
Compute percentage error.
Important: Keep the applied voltage constant during the
entire experiment.
7. Observations and Tabulation
Measured component values:
Resistor: R=100 Ω(measured)
Inductor: L=50 mH=0.050 H
Capacitor: Capacitor: C=0.01 μ F
−8
¿ 1.0 ×10 F
Theoretical resonant frequency:
1 1
f 0= = ≈ 7.13 kHz
2 π √ LC 2 π √ 0.05 ×10−8
Observation table
S.N Frequenc Vin VR Current Observation
o y (Hz) (Vrms (Vrms I = VR/R s
) ) (mA)
1 2000 1.00 0.03 0.30 below
0 resonance
2 4000 1.00 0.10 1.00 approaching
3 6000 1.00 0.40 4.00 near
resonance
4 7000 1.00 0.60 6.00 peak
(approx)
5 7200 1.00 0.58 5.80 slightly
above
6 8000 1.00 0.30 3.00 above
resonance
7 10000 1.00 0.08 0.80 far above
From the table- I max=6.00 mA at f exp ≈ 7000 Hz.
Find I / √ 2=6.00 /1.414 ≈ 4.24 mA . Using interpolation between
max
measured values find (f1) and (f2) where current ≈ 4.24
mA (these might be ~6000 Hz and ~7800 Hz in real
data) and then bandwidth and Q.
8. Calculations
Theoretical f️0:
As earlier, f 0 ≈ 7130 Hz.
Experimental f: f exp=7000 Hz.
f theory −f exp
Percentage Error: % error=∣
f theory
∣×100
7130−7000 2π f0 L
¿∣ ∣×100 ≈ 1.85 % Quality Factor: Q=
7130 R
2 π × 7130× 0.05 f
Q= ≈ 22.4 Bandwidth: Δ f = 0 = 7130 ≈ 318 Hz
100 Q 22.4
9. Graph Plotting
10. Result
• Experimental resonant frequency (fexp) = 7000 Hz •
Theoretical resonant frequency (ftheory) = 7130 Hz
• Percentage error = 1.85 %
• Quality factor (experimental) = 22.4
• Bandwidth (experimental) = 318 Hz
11. Conclusion
From the experiment we observe that a series LCR circuit
exhibits maximum current at a resonance frequency
where the inductive and capacitive reactances cancel
each other. The experimental value of resonance is in
reasonable agreement with the value predicted by theory
(within experimental error). The circuit's Q-factor
determines how sharply it responds to near-resonant
frequencies — a high-Q circuit is highly selective and
useful in radios and filters.
12. Applications
Radio and TV tuners (select desired station
frequency).
Filters (band-pass and band-stop networks).
Oscillators and frequency-selective circuits.
Wireless communication, radar, and signal
processing.
13. Precautions
[Link] amplitude of AC source low to avoid heating or
damaging components.
[Link] good connections; loose contacts cause
erroneous readings.
[Link] component values before experiment; use
actual values (not just labelled) for calculations.
[Link] small frequency steps near resonance for
accurate determination.
[Link] using an oscilloscope, ensure proper probe
grounding to avoid short circuits.
[Link] off instruments when changing circuit
connections.
14. Viva Questions
1. What is resonance?
When inductive reactance equals capacitive reactance,
making current maximum.
2. What is resonant frequency?
The frequency where X =X and current is maximum.
L C
3. Define quality factor.
Sharpness of resonance, Q=ω 0 L/R .
4. Why is current maximum at resonance?
Because impedance is minimum (only R).
5. What happens to phase at resonance?
Voltage and current are in phase.
15. Bibliography
[Link] Physics Class XII — Electricity and Magnetism
chapters (for background theory).
2.H.C. Verma — Concepts of Physics, Vol. II (resonance
and AC circuits).
[Link] resources: educational physics lab pages and
tutorial notes (use for cross-checking methods).