Alternating Current IIT JEE Study Material

An Alternating Current or A.C changes its direction periodically whereas if the direction of current is constant then it is called direct current or D.C. Let us consider a sinusoidal varying function;

Average Value:

It is the average of all the instantaneous values of an A.C (alternating current) and alternating voltages over 1 full cycle. The +ve half cycle will be exactly equal to the – ve half cycle in symmetrical waves like voltage or sinusoidal current waveform. Therefore, the average value of a complete cycle will always be 0. The work is done by both, + ve and – ve cycle. Therefore, the average value is calculated without taking its sign into consideration. Therefore, the only + ve half cycle is taken into consideration in determining the average value of alternating quantities (sinusoidal waves).

The average value for one alternation 0 → π is

The mean or average value of a given function over a specified time interval between t₁ and t₂ is determined by:

The cycle of a periodic function is continuously repeated, irrespective of its shape. For example, sinusoidal function. The average value of such periodic function is determined by:

where T = time period of the periodic function.

For a symmetrical A.C or alternating current (either sinusoidal or nonsinusoidal) the average value is calculated by taking only the mean or average of one alternation or one-half cycle. Therefore, for all the symmetrical waveforms,

Root Mean Square (RMS) Value:

Split the base of 1 alternation into ‘n’ equal parts. Let i₁, i₂,…., i_n be the ordinates of ‘n’ equal parts then,

Heat generated during first interval

Heat generated during second interval

Heat generated during third interval

Heat generated during nth interval

Total heat generated in time T

If I_eff is the effective current, then the heat generated by this current in time

i.e.

Or,

Or,

Hence, the virtual or effective value of an alternating voltage or current is equal to the square root of the mean or average of the squares of the successive ordinates. Therefore, it is termed as the root mean square or RMS value.

The effective or RMS (root mean square) value over a time period (T) of an alternating quantity is determined by:

Power Consumed:

In an LCR circuit connected in series,

Voltage, V = V₀sinωt

Let the electric current flowing through it be,

I = I₀sin (ωt +Φ)

Instantaneous Power, P = VI

=  (V₀sinωt) (I₀sin (ωt +Φ))

= (1/2)2(V₀sinωt) (I₀sin (ωt +Φ))

= (1/2) V₀I₀ (cos Φ – cos (2ωt + Φ))

The average value of cos (2ωt + Φ) over a complete cycle is 0

Average power consumed in a cycle:

P_av = (1/2) V₀I₀ cosΦ

Here,

RC Circuit in series with an A.C source:

And,

LR Circuit in series with an A.C source:

Where,

And,

LC Circuit in series with an A.C source:

RLC Circuit in series with an A.C source:

Where,

And,

Resonance:

In a series RLC circuit there becomes a point of frequency were the inductive reactance of the inductor becomes equal to the capacitive reactance of the capacitor. In other words, Resonance occurs when X_L = X_C. The point at which this occurs is called the resonance frequency point.

The Amplitude of current in an RLC circuit is maximum for a given value of R and V if the impedance of the circuit is minimized. This is the condition for resonance.

Or,

Or,

Or,

Therefore,

Alternating Current – JEE Concept

Alternating Current Important JEE Questions