Alternating Current — Chapter Summary
Madhya Pradesh Board · Class 12 · Physics
Summary of Alternating Current for Madhya Pradesh Board Class 12 Physics. Part of the Madhya Pradesh Board Class 12 Physics syllabus.
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Overview
Alternating current is electric current that changes with time, usually in sinusoidal form. The chapter builds the idea of rms values, phase difference, reactance, impedance, resonance, power factor, and transformers. These ideas explain why ac is preferred for power transmission and how ac circuits
Key Concepts
An alternating voltage varies sinusoidally
An alternating voltage varies sinusoidally with time as v = v_m sin ωt. The current driven by it also varies with time and reverses direction periodic
The rms current and voltage
The rms current and voltage are the effective values used for power calculations. I = i_m/√2 = 0.707 i_m and V = v_m/√2 = 0.707 v_m. A 220 V household
For a pure resistor
For a pure resistor, current is in phase with voltage. The current is i = i_m sin ωt, with i_m = v_m/R. The average power is P = I^2R = VI.
In a pure inductor
In a pure inductor, current lags voltage by π/2. The current is i = i_m sin(ωt − π/2), and i_m = v_m/X_L where X_L = ωL. Inductive reactance increases
In a pure capacitor
In a pure capacitor, current leads voltage by π/2. The current is i = i_m sin(ωt + π/2), and i_m = v_m/X_C where X_C = 1/ωC. Capacitive reactance decr
Learning Objectives
- Understand the meaning of alternating voltage and alternating current
- Relate peak values and rms values of ac quantities
- Explain current and voltage relation in resistor, inductor, and capacitor circuits
- Define inductive reactance, capacitive reactance, impedance, and power factor
- Describe series LCR circuits and the condition of resonance
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