Alternating Current - Class 12
Physics Chapter Presentation
Introduction to Alternating Current
• Alternating Current (AC) is an electric current
that reverses its direction periodically. Unlike
Direct Current (DC), AC is widely used in
power transmission and household systems.
• Key Features:
• - Periodic change in direction
• - Frequency (f): Number of cycles per second
(in Hz)
• - Amplitude (I₀): Maximum current value
AC Voltage and Current
• - Voltage and current in AC systems vary
sinusoidally:
• V(t) = V₀ sin(ωt)
• I(t) = I₀ sin(ωt)
• - ω (angular frequency) = 2πf
• - RMS (Root Mean Square) Values:
• Vᵣₘₛ = V₀ / √2
• Iᵣₘₛ = I₀ / √2
• - RMS values are used in power calculations.
Reactance and Impedance
• - Reactance: Opposition offered by capacitors
and inductors:
• Capacitive Reactance (X𝚌) = 1 / (ωC)
• Inductive Reactance (Xₗ) = ωL
• Z = √(R² + (Xₗ - X𝚌)²)
• - Impedance (Z): Total opposition to AC:
• - Phase Difference:
• Current lags voltage in inductive circuits.
• Current leads voltage in capacitive circuits.
Power in AC Circuits
• - Instantaneous Power:
• P(t) = V(t) * I(t)
• - Average Power:
• P = Vᵣₘₛ * Iᵣₘₛ * cos(φ)
• cos(φ): Power Factor
• - Power Factor indicates the efficiency of
power usage:
• 0 ≤ Power Factor ≤ 1
Applications of Alternating Current
• - Power Transmission: AC is used for
transmitting electricity over long distances.
• - Household Appliances: Operate on AC
voltage (110V-240V).
• - Industrial Machines: Heavy machinery runs
on AC power.
• - Alternators and Generators: Convert
mechanical energy to AC electricity.
