AC Circuits

MCQ
1. An AC voltage source of variable angular frequency ω and fixed amplitude V connected in
series with a capacitance C and an electric bulb of resistance R (inductance zero). When ω is
increased
(a) The bulb glows dimmer
(b) The bulb glows brighter
(c) Net impedance of circuit is unchanged
(d) Total impedance of the circuit increases
2. The variation of the instantaneous current I(t) and the instantaneous emfE(t) in a circuit is as
shown in the following fig. Which of the following statements is correct

(a) The voltage lags behind the current by π/2

(b) The voltage leads the current by π/2
(c) The voltage and the current are in phase
(d) The voltage leads the current by π
3. The figure shows variation of R, XL and XC with frequency f in a series L, C, R circuit. Then
for what frequency point, the circuit is inductive.

(a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) A and B
4. The r.m.s. voltage of the wave form shown is

(a) 10 V (b)7 V
(c) 6.37 V (d) 12 V
5. When ac- source is connected across series R-L-C combination, maximum power loss will
occur provided
(a) current and voltage are in phase (b) Current from source is minimum
(c) Inductance is minimum (d) Capacitance is maximum
6. In R-L-C series ac-circuit, impedance cannot be increased by
(a) increasing frequency of source (b) decreasing frequency of source
(c) increasing the resistance (d) increasing the voltage of the source
7. In a purely resistive a.c. circuit, the current
(a) is in phase with the e.m.f.
(b) leads the e.m.f. by a difference of π radians phase
(c) leads the e.m.f. by a phase difference of π /2 radians
(d) lags behind the e.m.f. by phase difference of π /4 radians
8. A capacitor of capacitance C has reactance X. If capacitance and frequency become double,
then the capacitive reactance will be
(a) 2X (b) 4X
(c) X/2 (d) X/4
9. Reactance of a capacitor of capacitance C for an alternating current of frequency
400/π Hz is 25 Ω. The value of C is
(a) 25 µF (b) 50 µF (c) 75 µF (d) 100 µF

VSA
1. The standard equation of an ac voltage is given by V= 311 sin 314t. Find: Peak voltage, rms voltage, frequency.
2. The voltage and current across a component in an ac circuit is given by V= Vo sinωt and I = Io cosωt respectively.
Identify the component. Write an expression for reactance of this component.
3. Define the term 'wattless current'.
4. A series LCR circuit is at resonance. Give values for 1) Impedance, 2) Phase difference between Voltage and
current, 3) Power factor.
5. In a series LCR circuit, voltage across L, C and R are 30 V, 30 V and 60 V respectively. What is the phase difference
between voltage and current?
6. Show that in an a.c. circuit containing a pure inductor, the voltage is ahead of current by π /2 in phase.
7. The given graphs plot reactance against frequency for devices X and Y. Identify X and Y.

8. Fig. shows a light bulb (B) and iron cored inductor connected to a DC battery through a switch (S). (i) What will one
observe when switch (S) is closed? How will the glow of the bulb change when the battery is replaced by an ac
source of rms voltage equal to the voltage of DC battery? Justify your answer in each case.

9. Figure (a), (b) and (c) show three alternating circuits with equal currents.

If frequency of alternating emf be increased, what will be the effect on currents in the three cases. Explain.
10. A capacitor blocks D.C. but allows A.C to pass through it. Explain. Why?
11. Figure shows an inductor L and a resistance R connected in parallel to a battery through a switch. Which of the
bulbs lights up earlier, when K is closed? Will bulbs be equally bright after some time?

SA
1. A circuit containing an 80 mH inductor and a 60 μF capacitor in series is connected to a 230 V, 50 Hz supply. The
resistance of the circuit is negligible. (a) Obtain the current amplitude and rms values. (b) Obtain the rms values of
potential drops across each element. (c) What is the average power transferred to the inductor? (d) What is the
average power transferred to the capacitor? (e) What is the total average power absorbed by the circuit?
2. With the help of a phasor diagram derive an equation for current in a series LCR circuit. Draw wave form of
current and voltage clearly showing the phase difference. It is observed that the sum of voltages across different
components in a series LCR circuit is some times more than the applied voltage. How will you justify this?