FIITJEE LTD

NARAYANGUDA
PHYSICS-II
IPE NOTES - 2023

CHAPTER 10
ALTERNATING CURRENT

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. A transformer converts 200 V ac into 2000 V ac. Calculate the number of turns in the
secondary if the primary has 10 turns.
Ans. Voltage is proportional to the number of turns.
V N
That is, s  s
Vp np
 Vs   2000 
Therefore, Ns  Np    10     100 turns
 Vp   200 

2. What type of a transformer is used in a 6-V bed-lamp?

Ans. A step-down transformer is used to decrease the incoming 220 V to 6 V output.

3. What is the phenomenon involved in the working of a transformer?

Ans. A transformer operates on the principle of Mutual Induction.

4. What is transformer ratio?

Ans. The transformer turns ratio is the number of turns of the primary winding divided by the
number of turns of the secondary coil.

5. What is the expression of reactance of i) an inductor and ii) a capacitor

Ans. i) XL  L is called inductive reactance, where  is the frequency and L is the inductance of
the inductor.
1
ii) XC  is called capacitive reactance, where  is the frequency and C is the inductance
C
of the inductor.

6. What is the phase difference between AC emf and current in the following:
Pure resistor, Pure Capacitor, Pure Inductor.
Ans. Pure Resistor: In this case the emf and current are always in phase; hence, the phase
difference is zero.
Pure Capacitor: In this case the current leads the voltage by π/2; hence, the phase difference
AC emf and current is - π/2 as emf lags current.
Pure Inductor: In this case the current lags the voltage by π/2; hence, the phase difference
AC emf and current is + π/2 i.e., emf leads current.

7. Define Power Factor.

Ans. The average power dissipated in an AC circuit is given by, P = V I cosφ,
Thus, the average power dissipated depends not only on the voltage and current but also on
the cosine of the phase angle φ between them. The quantity cosφ is called the power factor;
the ratio of working power, measured in kilowatts (kW), to apparent power, measured
in kilovolt amperes (kVA).
8. What is meant by wattless component of current?
Ans. In a purely inductive or capacitive circuit power factor, cos φ = 0, and no power is dissipated
even though a current is flowing in the circuit. This current is sometimes referred to as
wattless current.

9. When does a LCR series circuit have minimum impedance?

Ans. Impedance is minimum at resonance when inductive reactance (XL) and capacitive reactance
(XC) are equal.

10. What is the phase difference between voltage and current when the power factor in
LCR series circuit is unity?
Ans. Power Factor = cos φ
When PF = 1, phase difference (φ) = 0.
This happens when the LCR circuit is in resonance.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Obtain an expression for the current through an inductor when an AC emf is applied.
Ans. Current through an inductor:
Figure shows an ac source connected to an inductor,
L of negligible resistance, such that the circuit is a
purely inductive ac circuit. Let the voltage across the
source be
v  vm sin t ---------- Eq. 1
Using the Kirchhoff’s loop rule, Σε(t) = 0, and since
there is no resistor in the circuit.
di
vL 0 ---------- Eq. 2
dt
where the second term is the self-induced Faraday emf in the inductor; and L is the self-
inductance of the inductor. The negative sign follows from Lenz’s Law.
di v vm
Combining Eqs. 1 and 2, we have   sin t ---------- Eq. 3
dt L L
v
 
Thus integrating the equation di  m sin  t  dt we get
L
vm
i  cos  t   constant
L
The integration constant is zero since both the source emf and the current it sustains oscillate
symmetrically about zero.
 
Using  cos  t   sin  t   , we have
 2
 
i  im sin  t  
 2
v
where im  m is the amplitude of the current.
L
The quantity L is analogous to the resistance and is called ‘inductive reactance’, denoted by
XL: i.e. X L  L
vm
Thus the amplitude of the current is im 
XL

2. Obtain an expression for the current in a capacitor when an AC emf is applied.

Ans. Current in a Capacitor:
 Figure shows an ac source ε generating ac voltage v  vm sin t
connected to a capacitor only, forming a purely capacitive ac
circuit.
When a capacitor is connected to an ac source, the capacitor is
alternately charged and discharged as the current reverses each
half cycle.
Let q be the charge on the capacitor at any time t. The instantaneous voltage v across the
q
capacitor is v 
C
From the Kirchhoff’s loop rule, the voltage across the source and the capacitor are equal.
q
vm sin  t   ---------- Eq. 1
C
dq
To find the current, we use the relation i  and by differentiating the Eq. 1 we get,
dt
d
i   vmC sin  t    Cvm cos  t 
dt
 
Using the relation cos  t   sin  t   , we have
 2
 
i  im sin  t  
 2
vm
where the amplitude of the oscillating current is im   C  vm 
1 C 
The quantity (1/C) is analogous to the resistance and is called ‘capacitive reactance’,
enoted by XC: i.e. X C  1 C  so that the amplitude of the current is
vm
im 
XC

3. State the principle on which a transformer works.

Describe the working of a transformer with necessary theory.
Ans. “A transformer works using the principle of mutual induction”.

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 as in Figure (a) or on separate limbs of the core
as in Figure (b). One of the coils called the primary coil has Np turns.
The other coil is called the secondary coil; it has Ns turns. Often the primary coil is the input
coil and the secondary coil is the output coil of the transformer.
When an alternating voltage is applied to the primary, the resulting current produces an
alternating magnetic flux which links the secondary and induces an emf in it. The value of this
emf depends on the number of turns in the secondary. We consider an ideal transformer in
which the primary has negligible resistance and all the flux in the core links both primary and
secondary windings. Let φ be the flux in each turn in the core at time t due to current in the
primary when a voltage vp is applied to it. Then the induced emf or voltage εs, in the
secondary with Ns turns is
d
s   N s ---------- (1)
dt
The alternating flux φ also induces an emf, called back emf in the primary. This is
 d
 p  N p ---------- (2)
dt
But εp = vp. If this were not so, the primary current would be infinite since the primary has zero
resistance(as assumed). If the secondary is an open circuit or the current taken from it is
small, then to a good approximation εs = vs
where vs is the voltage across the secondary. Therefore, Eqs. (1) and (2) can be written as
d
vs   N s ---------- (3)
dt
d
vp  N p ---------- (4)
dt
From Eqs. (3) and (4), we have
vs N
 s ---------- (5)
vp N p
The above relation has been obtained using three assumptions:
(i) the primary resistance and current are small;
(ii) the same flux links both the primary and the secondary as very little flux escapes from the
core, and (iii) the secondary current is small.
If the transformer is assumed to be 100% efficient (no energy losses), the power input is
equal to the power output, and since p = i v,
ipvp = isvs ---------- (6)
Although some energy is always lost, this is a good approximation, since a well designed
transformer may have an efficiency of more than 95%.
Combining Eqs. (5) and (6), we have
i p vs N
  s ---------- (7)
is v p N p
Since i and v both oscillate with the same frequency as the ac source, Eq. (7) also gives the
ratio of the amplitudes or rms values of corresponding quantities.
Now, we can see how a transformer affects the voltage and current. We have:
N 
Vs   s V p
 Np 
 
and
 Np 
Is   Ip
 Ns 
That is, if the secondary coil has a greater number of turns than the primary (Ns > Np), the
voltage is stepped up(Vs > Vp). This type of arrangement is called a step-up transformer.
However, in this arrangement, there is less current in the secondary than in the primary
(Np/Ns < 1 and Is < Ip).
If the secondary coil has less turns than the primary(Ns < Np), we have a step-down
transformer. In this case, Vs < Vp and Is > Ip. That is, the voltage is stepped down, or
reduced, and the current is increased.

PROBLEMS
1. An ideal inductor (no internal resistance for the coil) of 20 mH is connected in series
with an AC ammeter to an AC source whose emf is given by
e  20 2 sin  200t   3 V where t is in seconds. Find the reading of the ammeter.
Sol. Given:
emax= 20 2 V; ω = 200 Hz, Inductance, L = 20 mH = 20 x 10-3 H
Inductive reactance, XL = ωL = (200 Hz) x (20 x 10-3 H) = 4 ohms
e 20
irms = irms  rms  5A
XL 4
Therefore, the ammeter reading is 5 A.
2. The instantaneous current and instantaneous voltage across a series circuit
containing resistance and inductance are given by i  2 sin 100t   4  A and
v  40 sin 100t  V . Calculate the resistance.
Sol. Given:
i  2 sin 100t   4  A
v  40 sin 100t  V
 im  2 A; v m  20 V;    4
v m 20
Impedance, Z    10 2 
im 2
R
And  cos 
Z
 R  Z cos 
 R  10 2  cos   4   10 2  2  20 

3. In an AC circuit, a condenser, a resistor and a pure inductor are connected in series

across an alternator (AC Generator). If the voltages across them are 20 V, 35 V and 20
V respectively, find the voltage supplied by the alternator,
Sol. Given:
v C  20 V
v R  35 V
v L  20 V
Since vL leads current and vC lags current, each by 90⁰, the voltage across the alternator is
v  v R2   v L  v C   352   20  20   35 V
2 2

4. An AC circuit contains a resistance R, an inductance L and a capacitance C connected

in series across an alternator of constant voltage and variable frequency. At resonant
frequency it is found that the inductive reactance, the capacitive reactance, and the
resistance are equal and the current in circuit is io . Fid the current in the circuit at a
frequency twice that of the resonant frequency.
Sol. Given:
1
At resonant frequency, R  XL  oL and R  XC 
o C
At double the resonant frequency let X 'L and X 'C be the inductive reactance and capacitive
reactance respectively.
X 'L   2o  L  2  oL   2R
1 1 R
X 'C   
 2o  C 2  o C  2
Z '  R2   X 'L  X 'C 
2

2
 R
 R   2R  
2

 2
13
 R 1 9  R
4 2
Since the voltage is the same,
v v
 io and i
R Z'
Thus, iZ '  ioR .
R
i io
Z'
 R 2
 io  io
R 13 2 13

5. A series resonant circuit contains L1, R1 and C1. The resonant frequency is f. Another
series resonant circuit contains L2, R2 and C2. The resonant frequency is also f. If these
two circuits are connected in series, calculate the resonant frequency.
Sol. Given:
First resonant circuit has, L1, R1 and C1 and resonant frequency f.
 1
 f  o  --- --- (1)
2 2 L1C1
Second resonant circuit has, L2, R2 and C2 and resonant frequency f.
 1
 f  o  --- --- (2)
2  2  L 2 C2
From Eq. (1) and (2), L1C1  L 2C2 --- --- (3)
Let the series combination have, L, R and C with resonant frequency f’.
R  R1  R2
L  L1  L 2
C1C2
C
C1  C2
For the series combination of the two resonant circuits,
1 C1  C2
2f'  
LC  L1  L 2  C1C2

C1  C2

L1C1  C2  C1 L2C2 
From Eq. (3)
C1  C2

L2C2  C2  C1 L 2C2 
C1  C2 1
   2f
 2 2  2 1  L2C2
L C C  C
 f'=f
Therefore, the resonant frequency of the series combination of the two resonant series LCR
circuits with the same resonant frequency will be remain unchanged.

6. In a series LCR circuit R = 200 Ω and the voltage and the frequency of the mains supply
is 200 V and 50 Hz respectively. On taking out the capacitance from the circuit the
current lags behind the voltage by 45⁰. On taking out the inductor from the circuit the
current leads by 45⁰. Calculate the power dissipated in the LCR circuit.
Sol. Given:
R = 200 Ω
V = 200 V
Frequency = 50 Hz
In the first case, when the capacitance is removed the circuit is equivalent to LR circuit’
 
Thus, XL  R tan    200   tan 45  200 
In the second case, when the inductor is removed the circuit is equivalent to RC circuit’
 
Thus, XC  R tan    200   tan 45  200 
Thus, the impedance of the LCR circuit is,
Z  R2   XL  XC 
2

2002   200  200   200 

2
 Since XL = XC, power factor = 1
2
v rms 2002
Therefore, the power dissipated P  cos    1 = 200 W
Z 200

7. The primary of a transformer with primary to secondary turns ration of 1 : 2 is

connected to an alternator of voltage 200 V. A current of 4 A is flowing through the
primary coil. Assuming that the transformer has no losses, find the secondary voltage
and current respectively.
Sol. Given:
Transformer ratio = 1 : 2
Primary voltage = 200 V
Primary current = 4 A
i v p Np
For a transformer, s  
ip v s Ns
Ns 2
 v s  vp  200   400 V
Np 1
Np 1
is  ip  4
2A
Ns 2
Therefore, the secondary voltage and current are 400 V and 2 A respectively.