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Alternating Current — Class 12 Physics NCERT Solutions (Free)

Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 12 Physics chapter "Alternating Current" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam preparation.

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TL;DR: Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 12 Physics chapter "Alternating Current" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam…

Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated Jul 23, 2026

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Key Questions Covered:

  1. Define AC current and voltage. Explain peak value, RMS value, and average value.
  2. Explain AC circuit with pure resistance. Draw phasor diagram and power equation.
  3. Explain AC circuit with pure inductance (L). Draw impedance and phasor diagram.
  4. Explain AC circuit with pure capacitance (C). Compare with inductance.
  5. Analyze AC series RLC circuit. Derive impedance and resonance condition.
  6. Explain transformer principle. Derive voltage and current transformation ratios.

Solutions Summary:

Question Status
Define AC current and voltage. Explain peak value, RMS va… ✓ Solved
Explain AC circuit with pure resistance. Draw phasor diag… ✓ Solved
Explain AC circuit with pure inductance (L). Draw impedan… ✓ Solved
Explain AC circuit with pure capacitance (C). Compare wit… ✓ Solved
Analyze AC series RLC circuit. Derive impedance and reson… ✓ Solved
Explain transformer principle. Derive voltage and current… ✓ Solved

Showing 6 of 6 questions

Q1: Define AC current and voltage. Explain peak value, RMS value, and average value.

AC (Alternating Current): Electric current that reverses direction periodically with time. I = I₀ sin(ωt + φ) or I = I₀ cos(ωt + φ) where I₀ = peak (maximum) current ω = angular frequency (rad/s) t = time φ = phase constant AC Voltage: V = V₀ sin(ωt + φ) where V₀ = peak voltage Three Important Values: 1. Peak (Maximum) Value: I_peak = I₀ (maximum value of current) V_peak = V₀ (maximum value of voltage) - Used in calculations of power dissipation in resistor - Important for insulation desig...

Q2: Explain AC circuit with pure resistance. Draw phasor diagram and power equation.

AC Circuit with Pure Resistance (R): Circuit: AC source connected to resistor R only (no L or C) Voltage applied: V = V₀ sin(ωt) Current through resistor (Ohm's law): I = V/R = (V₀/R) sin(ωt) = I₀ sin(ωt) where I₀ = V₀/R (peak current) Key Observations: 1. Current and voltage in phase (φ = 0°) 2. No phase difference between I and V 3. Peak values related by: V₀ = I₀R 4. RMS values: V_rms = I_rms × R Phasor Diagram (at t = 0): - Draw V and I vectors both along same direction (horizontal) - ...

Q3: Explain AC circuit with pure inductance (L). Draw impedance and phasor diagram.

AC Circuit with Pure Inductance (L): Circuit: AC source connected to pure inductor only (no R or C) Voltage applied: V = V₀ sin(ωt) Induced emf in inductor: ε = -L(dI/dt) = -V (opposes applied voltage) From Faraday's law: V = L(dI/dt) V₀ sin(ωt) = L(dI/dt) Integrating: I = -(V₀/ωL) cos(ωt) = (V₀/ωL) sin(ωt - π/2) I = I₀ sin(ωt - π/2) where I₀ = V₀/ωL Inductive Reactance: X_L = ωL = 2πfL (Ohms, Ω) where ω = 2πf (angular frequency) f = frequency (Hz) L = inductance (H) Key Observations: 1...

Q4: Explain AC circuit with pure capacitance (C). Compare with inductance.

AC Circuit with Pure Capacitance (C): Circuit: AC source connected to pure capacitor only (no R or L) Voltage applied: V = V₀ sin(ωt) Charge on capacitor: Q = CV = CV₀ sin(ωt) Current (rate of charge flow): I = dQ/dt = CV₀ω cos(ωt) I = CV₀ω sin(ωt + π/2) I = I₀ sin(ωt + π/2) where I₀ = CV₀ω = V₀/(1/ωC) Capacitive Reactance: X_C = 1/(ωC) = 1/(2πfC) (Ohms, Ω) where ω = 2πf C = capacitance (F) Key Observations: 1. Current leads voltage by 90° (φ = +90°) 2. When V = maximum, I = 0 3. When V ...

Q5: Analyze AC series RLC circuit. Derive impedance and resonance condition.

AC Series RLC Circuit: Resistor, Inductor, Capacitor in series with AC source Voltage distribution: V = V_R + V_L + V_C = V₀ sin(ωt) Voltage across elements: V_R = IR (in phase with I) V_L = IX_L (leads I by 90°) V_C = IX_C (lags I by 90°) Phasor Analysis: - All currents same (series circuit) - Net voltage from phasors - V_L and V_C opposite direction (cancel partially) Net reactance: X = X_L - X_C = ωL - 1/(ωC) Impedance (Z): Z = √[R² + (X_L - X_C)²] = √[R² + (ωL - 1/ωC)²] Alternatively: ...

Q6: Explain transformer principle. Derive voltage and current transformation ratios.

Transformer: Device that converts AC voltage and current using electromagnetic induction and mutual inductance. Principle: 1. Primary coil (input): Connected to AC source 2. Iron core: Carries alternating magnetic field 3. Secondary coil (output): Magnetic field induces emf 4. Mutual inductance couples the coils Theory (Ideal Transformer): Primary coil: - N₁ turns - Voltage V₁ = V₁₀ sin(ωt) - Current I₁ - Induced emf by changing flux: ε₁ = -N₁(dΦ/dt) Secondary coil: - N₂ turns - Voltage V₂ (...

Showing 6 of 6 questions. Visit the full page for complete solutions.

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