VRM PHYSICS CLASSES
Date : 15-01-2026 STD 12 Science Physics Total Mark : 56
AC circuits
1. Very Short Answer Type Question [1 Marks Each] [2]
I. When is an AC Circuit non inductive ?
Ans. : An inductor is a wire coil that assists in the creation of an alternating
magnetic field.
The magnetic field is created when an alternating current is passed
through the wire.
The inductor is the only circuit element in an inductive AC circuit, ac voltage
applied to an inductor: ac voltage applied to an inductor: ac voltage applied
to an The voltage source is alternating, as shown by the equation V = Vm
sint.
There is a source voltage (V) and an inductor with inductance = L in the
circuit. There are no resistors in this circuit.
Inductance is present in most AC circuits, thus the current waveform lags
behind the voltage or peaks slightly after the voltage waveform.
An inductive circuit is indicated by a trailing current. Inductance sources. An
inductor is made up of a number of components.
II. What is the average value of alternating current over a complete cycle?
Ans. : Zero
* Short Answer Type Question [2 marks each] [18]
2. In LCR series circuit, what is the
(i) power factor and
(ii) phase difference between the emf and current, at resonance.
Ans. : At resonance,
1. the power factor is 1 and
2. the phase difference between the emf and current is zero.
3. An alternating emf is given by e = 2.20 sin ωt (in volt). What will be its value at
time t =
T
12
?
Ans. : = 220 (
1
2
) = 110v.
4. For e = e sin ωt , what is
0
(i) e (over half cycle)
av
(ii) r
rms
Ans. : For (over half cycle) and
2 e0
e = e0 sin ωt, eav = e0 erms =
π √2
Page 1
5. (a) What is the impedance of an LR circuit if R = 40Ω and XL = 30Ω ?
(b) What is the peak current if the peak emf is 10V , R = 0 and XL = 30Ω ?
−−−−−−−
Ans. : (a) The impedance, Z = √R 2
+X
L
2
− −−−−−− −− −−−−
= √ 1600 + 900 = √2500 = 50Ω.
e0
(b) i0 =
XL
=
10
30
=
1
3
A = 0.3333A .
6. (a) What is the impedance of a CR circuit if R = 30Ω and X = 40Ω ? C
(b) What is the peak current if the peak emf is 10V , R = 0 and X = 40Ω ? C
−−−−−−−
Ans. : (a) The impedance, Z = √R 2
+X
C
2
−−−−−− −−−
= √900 + 1600
−−−−
= √2500 = 50
(b) The peak current i0 =
e0
XC
=
10
40
= 0.25A .
7. An alternating emf with e = 100V is applied to a series LR circuit with
rms
R = 100Ω and Z = 200Ω What is the average power consumed over one cycle?
Ans. : The average power consumed over one cycle
R erms R
= erms irms = erms ( )
Z Z ¯
Z
100 100 100
= (100) ( )( ) = = 25W .
200 200 4
8. In LCR series circuit, what is the
(i) reactance and
(ii) impedance at current resonance?
Ans. : In LCR series circuit, at current resonance,
1. reactance is zero and
2. impedance equals resistance R .
9. A 100Ω resistor is connected to a 220V , 50Hz supply. Calculate: (a) r.m.s. value of
current and (b) net power consumed over the full cycle.
Ans. : Resistance of the resistor, R = 100 Ω
Supply voltage, V = 220 V
Frequency, v = 50 Hz
1. The r.m.s. value of the current in the circuit is given as:
V
I =
R
220
=
100
= 2.20 A
2. The net power consumed over a full cycle is given as:
P = VI
= 220 × 2.2
= 484 W
10. Explain why the total impedance of a circuit decreases when a capacitor is
added in series with inductor and resistor.
Page 2
−−−−−−−−
Ans. : For an LR circuit, the impedance,Z LR
= √R2 + X
2
L
′ , where XL is the reactance
of the inductor.
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
ZLCR = √R2 + (XL − XC )
2
because in the case of an inductor the current lags
behind the voltage by a phase angle of rad while in the case of a capacitor the
π
current leads the voltage by a phase angle of rad. The decrease in net reactance
π
2
decreases the total impedance \(\left(Z_{L C R}
* Answer in Brief [ 3 marks each] [24]
11. An alternating emf e = e sin ωt is applied to a pure inductor of inductance L.
0
Show variation of the emf and current with wt.
Ans. : Here, e = e 0 sin ωt and i = i0 sin(ωt − π/2) , where i0 = e0 /ωL .
[Note : A pure inductor ≡ an ideal inductor.]
12. An alternating emf e = 200 sin ωt (in volt) is connected to a 1000Ω resistor.
Calculate the rms current through the resistor and the average power
dissipated in it in one cycle.
Page 3
Ans. : Data: e = 200 sin ωtV , R = 1000Ω
The equation of a sinusoidally alternating emf is e = e0 sin ωts where e0 is the peak
value of the emf.
Comparing the given expression with this, we get
Peak current, i
e0 200
∴ 0 = = = 0.2A
R 1000
∴ rms current, i rms
=
√2
i0
=
0.2
√2
= 0.1414A
The average power dissipated in the resistor in one cycle,
e0 i0 200 × 0.2
Pav = erms irms = = = 20W
2 2
13. An alternating emf is given by e = 220 sin 314.2t (in volt). Find its
(i) peak value
(ii) rms value
(iii) average value over half cycle
(iv) frequency
(iv) period
(vi) value at T
4
.
Ans. : Data: e = 220 sin 314.2t( in volt )t t =
T
(i) Comparing the given equation with e = e0 sin ωt , we get, peak value, e 0 = 220V .
–
(ii) erms = eo /√2 = 155.6V
(over half cycle) = e =
2(220)
(iii) eav
2
π
0
3.142
= 140V
(iv) ω = 2πf = 314.2 ∴ The frequency,
ω 314.2
f = = = 50Hz
2π 2(3.142)
(v) The period, T ==
1
f
=
1
50
= 0.02 same
(vi) e = 220 sin(
2π
T
⋅
T
4
) = 220 sin
π
2
= 220v
14. An alternating e.m.f., e = 200 sin 314.2t volt is applied between the terminals of an
electric bulb whose filament ha a resistance of 100Ω . Calculate the following: (a)
RMS current (b) Frequency of AC signal (c) Period of AC signal.
Ans. : An alternating emf, E = 200sin(314.2t) volt is applied between the terminals
of an electric bulb whose filament has a resistance of 100Ω.
We have to calculate the value of
1. A) RMS current
2. B) Frequency of AC signal
3. C) Period of AC signal
A) Here, alternating emf, E = 200sin(314.2t) = 200sin(100πt) [∵ 3.14 = π ]
Comparing to E = E₀sin(ωt)
We get, E₀ = 200 volt , ω = 100π
We know from Ohm's law, V = iR
Page 4
E0 200
i0 = = = 2A
R 100
[ here resistance of filament is R = 100Ω. ]
Now RMS current is given by,
I0
Irms =
√2
2
–
= = √2A
√2
Therefore the RMS current is √2 A.
B) We get, ω = 100π
We know, ω = 2πη , here η is the frequency of AC signal.
∴ 100π = 2πη
⇒ η = 50 Hz
Therefore the frequency of AC signal is 50 Hz.
C) We know, Period is the time taken to complete one cycle.
period, T =
1
η
=
1
50
= 0.02s
Therefore the period of AC signal is 0.02 sec.
15. A 0.1H inductor, a 25 × 10
−6
F capacitor and a 15 resistor are connected in series
to a 120V , 50Ac source. Calculate the resonant frequency.
Ans. : Given,
L = 0.1 H
C = 25 x 10-6 F
R = 15 Ω
Fr = ?
Resonant frequency
1
Fr =
2π√LC
1
∴ Fr =
−6
2×3.142× √0.1×25×10
1
=
−6
6.284 √2.5×10
1
= −3
6.284×1.581×10
Fr = 100.8 Hz
16. A 1000mH inductor, 36mF capacitor and 12Ω resistor are connected in series to
120V ; 50HzAC source. Calculate: (i) impedance of the circuit at resonance (ii)
current at resonance (iii) resonant frequency.
Ans. : The impedance of series LCR circuit is
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
2
Z = √R2 + (XL − Xc )
where X and X are the inductive and capacitive reactances respectively.
L c
At resonance X = X L c
So
(i) the impedance at resonance
Page 5
Zres = R = 12Ω
(ii) the current at resonance
V V 120V
Ires = = = = 10A
Zre s R 12Ω
(iii) At resonance XL = Xc
i.e.,
1
ωL =
ωC
i.e.,
2 1
ω =
LC
i.e.,
1
ω =
√LC
So the frequency is
1 1
f = = Hz
2π√LC −3 −3
2π√1000× 10 ×36× 10
= 0.8388Hz
If 36 micro farad capacitor is used
f=26.5 Hz
17. Define: (a) Inductive reactance (b) Capacitive reactance (c) Impedance.
Ans. : Inductive reactance:
Effective resistance offered by the inductance is called inductive reactance (ΧL).
XL = ωL = 2πf L
capacitive reactance:
The capacitive reactance of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of r.m.s voltage
(e.m.f) across the capacitor to the corresponding r.m.s current.
Impedance:
The effective opposition offered by the inductor, capacitor and resistor connected
in series to flow of AC current. is called impedance.
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
2
2
Z = √R + (XL − XC )
18. Explain the terms: (a) Capacitive reactance (b) Inductive reactance (e)
Impedance.
Ans. : Inductive reactance:
Effective resistance offered by the inductance is called inductive reactance (ΧL).
XL = ωL = 2πf L
capacitive reactance:
The capacitive reactance of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of r.m.s voltage
(e.m.f) across the capacitor to the corresponding r.m.s current.
Impedance:
The effective opposition offered by the inductor, capacitor and resistor connected
in series to flow of AC current. is called impedance.
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
2
2
Z = √R + (XL − XC )
* Answer the following in Detail [ 4 marks ] [12]
19. An AC source generating a voltage e = e0 sinωt is connected to a capacitor of
capacitance C. Find the expression for the current i flowing through it. Plot a
graph of e and i versus ωt.
Ans. :
Figure 13.12 shows an AC source, generating a voltage e = e0 sin ωt, connected to
a capacitor of capacitance C. The plates of the capacitor get charged due to the
applied voltage. As the alternating voltage is reversed in each half cycle, the
capacitor is alternately charged and discharged. If q is the charge on the capacitor,
the corresponding potential difference across the plates of the capacitor is
and V are functions of time, with . The
q
V =
C
∴ q = CV . q V = e = e0 sin ωt
instantaneous current in the circuit is
dq d dv d
i = = (CV ) = C = C (e0 sin ωt) = ωC e0 cos ωt
dt dt dt dt
where is the peak value of the
e0 π π e0
∴ i = sin(ωt + ) = i0 sin(ωt + ) i0 =
(1/ωC) 2 2 (1/ωC)
current.
Table gives the values of e and i for different values of cot and Fig shows graphs of
e and i versus w t. i leads e by phase angle of π
2
rad.
20. Show that in an AC circuit containing a pure inductor, the voltage is ahead of
current by π/2 in phase.
Ans. : Figure 13.8 shows an AC source, generating a voltage e = e0 sin ωt,
connected to a key K and a pure inductor of inductance L to form a closed circuit.
On closing the key K, an emf is induced in the inductor as the magnetic flux linked
with it changes with time. This emf opposes the applied emf and according to the
laws of electromagnetic induction by Faraday and Lenz, we have,
′ di
e = −L
dt
where e’ is the induced emf and i is the current through the inductor. To maintain
the current; e and e’ must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
According to Kirchhoff’s voltage law, as the resistance of the inductor is assumed
to be zero, we
have, e = −e ′
= L
di
dt
di e e0 sin ωt
∴ = =
dt L L
e0 sin ωt
∴ ∫ di = ∫ dt
L
e0
∴ i = − cos ωt + C
ωL
where C is the constant of integration. C must be time independent and have the
dimension of current. As e oscillates about zero, i also oscillates about zero and
hence there cannot be any time independent component of current.
e0 e0 π
∴ C = 0. ∴ i = − cos ωt = − sin( − ωt)
ωL ωL 2
e0 π
∴ i = sin(ωt − ) … … … … … . . (3)
ωL 2
as sin(−θ) = − sin θ
e0
From Eq. (3), ipeak = i0 =
ωL
π
∴ i = i0 sin(ωt − ) … … … … … . . (4)
2
Comparison of this equation with e = e0 sin ω t shows that e leads i by π
2
rad, i.e.,
the voltage is ahead of current by π
2
rad in phase.
21. An alternating emf e = e0 sin ωt is applied to a resistor of resistance R. Write the
expression for the current through the resistor. Show the variation of emf and
current with ωt. Draw a phasor diagram to show emf and current.
Ans. : Below figure shows an alternating emf e = e0 sin ωt applied to a resistor of
resistance R.
e0is the peak value and co is the angular frequency of the emf. The instantaneous
current through the resistor is i = i sin ωt , where io is the peak value of the
0
current.
Here, i and e are always in phase.
For ωt = 0, sin ωt = 0, e = 0, i = 0 ;
for ωt = π/2, sin ωt = 1, e = e0 , i = i0 ;
for ωt = π, sin ωt = 0, e = 0, i = 0 ;
for ωt = 3π/2, sin ωt = −1, e = −e0 , i = −i0 ;
for ωt = 2πr sin ωt = 0, e = 0, i = 0 .
Below fiqure shows variation of e and i with cot.
----- -----