Chapter 23 Alternating Current Circuits

Alternating Current From chapter 20, as a revision In an ac circuit, the charge flow reverses direction periodically as shown the graph below.

The voltage produced between by the terminals of the ac generator fluctuates sinusoidally between +ve and ve values as a function of time:

V = Vo sin (2 ft )
Vo is the maximum or peak value of voltage, f is the frequency, and the angle 2ft is expressed in radian

23.1 Capacitors and Capacitive Reactance

Recall, for a purely resistive ac circuit, the rms voltage, Vrms across a resistor is related to the rms current, Irms by:

For a capacitor, similar to resistor, the rms voltage, Vrms across a capacitor in ac circuit is related to the rms current, Irms by:
capacitive reactance

Vrms = I rms R
The resistance in a purely resistive circuit has the same value at all frequencies. Now, how if the circuit contain a capacitor instead of a resistor???

Vrms = I rms X C

Like resistance, it is measured in , and determine how muchrms current exists in a capacitor in respond to a given rms voltage across the capacitor It is found experimentally that the capacitive reactance is inversely proportional to both the frequency, f and the capacitance, C.
The relation can be described as the following

XC =

1 2 fC

23.1 Capacitors and Capacitive Reactance

A Capacitor in an AC Circuit The capacitance is 1.50F and the rms voltage is 25.0 V. What is the rms current when the frequency is (a) 100 Hz and (b) 5000 Hz? (a)
XC = 1 1 = = 1060 2 fC 2 (100 Hz ) 1.50 10 6 F

Refer back to a purely resistive circuit: We are referring to the instantanenous voltage and current (not rms)

I rms =

Vrms 25.0 V = = 0.0236 A X C 1060

Refer to the both graph:

(b)

XC =

1 1 = = 21.2 2 fC 2 (5000 Hz ) 1.50 10 6 F

I rms =

Vrms 25.0 V = = 1.18 A X C 21.2

The current and voltage are in phase.

23.1 Capacitors and Capacitive Reactance

23.1 Capacitors and Capacitive Reactance

In order to help us, we use the phasor model. How about a capacitor ???. Refer to the graph
In this model, the voltage and current are represented by rotating arrows (called phasors). These phasors rotate at a frequency f.

The current in a capacitor leads the voltage across the capacitor by a phase angle of 90 degrees.

The vertical component of the phasor is the instantaneous value of the current or voltage.

23.2 Inductors and Inductive Reactance

Similarly, for a circuit containing a capacitor, the phasor model can be drawn as followed.

Now, how if the circuit contain an inductor instead of a resistor or a capacitor as in the diagram??? For an inductor, similar to resistor, the rms voltage, Vrms across a capacitor in ac circuit is related to the rms current, Irms by:
inductive reactance

The current in a capacitor leads the voltage across the capacitor by a phase angle of 90 degrees.

Vrms = I rms X L
It is found experimentally that the frequency is directly proportional to both the frequency, f and the inductance, L.

X L = 2 f L

23.2 Inductors and Inductive Reactance

23.2 Inductors and Inductive Reactance

As compared to resistor and capacitor; the current lags behind the voltage by a phase angle of 90 degrees.

23.3 Circuits Containing Resistance, Capacitance, and Inductance

23.3 Circuits Containing Resistance, Capacitance, and Inductance

Z = R2 + (X L X C )

In a series RLC circuit, the total opposition to the flow is called the impedance.

Vrms = I rms Z

Z = R2 + (X L X C )

23.3 Circuits Containing Resistance, Capacitance, and Inductance

phase angle between current and total voltage

Example: When a resistor is connected across the terminals of an ac generator (112V) that has a fixed frequency, there is a current of 0.500A in the resistor. When an inductor is connected across the terminals of the same generator, there is a current of 0.400A in the inductor. When both the resistor and inductor are connected in series between the terminals of this generator, what are: the impedance of the series combination.

V V X XC tan = L C = L VR R

2 P = I rms Z cos = I rmsVrms cos

Answer
With only the resistor connected the resistance is
R= V rm s I rm s = 112 V = 224 0.500 A

With only the inductor connected the inductive reactance is

XL = V rm s I rm s = 11 2 V = 2 .80 1 0 2 0.400 A

Z = 359 ohm