Q.A sinusoidal voltage of peak value 283 V and frequency 50 Hz is applied to a series LCR circuit in which R=3 Ω, L=25.48 mH, and C=796 μF. Find
Concept understanding — Power Dissipation in Resistors
Power Dissipation in Resistors
Whenever charge is driven through a resistor, electrical energy is converted into heat. The rate of this conversion is the power dissipated.
Why a Resistor Heats Up
Inside a resistor, drifting electrons repeatedly collide with the vibrating lattice ions. Each collision transfers kinetic energy to the lattice, raising its temperature. The source (battery or AC supply) continually does work to keep the current flowing, and that work reappears as heat. This is Joule heating.
The Power Formulas (DC)
The power delivered to any device carrying current I across a potential difference V is
P=VI
For an ohmic resistor V=IR, so this can be written in three equivalent forms:
P=VI=I2R=RV2
The SI unit is the watt (W), where 1 W=1 J s−1.
Which form to use depends on what is fixed:
- Series elements share the same current, so P=I2R shows the larger resistor dissipates more.
- Parallel elements share the same voltage, so P=V2/R shows the smaller resistor dissipates more.
The total heat produced in time t is Q=Pt=I2Rt — Joule's law of heating.
Power Dissipation with AC
With alternating current the instantaneous power p(t)=i2(t)R fluctuates, but a resistor still only dissipates energy (it never returns any). The average power over a cycle is written with root-mean-square values:
Pavg=Irms2R=RVrms2=VrmsIrms
where for a sinusoid Irms=Im/2 and Vrms=Vm/2. This is precisely why rms values are defined: an AC of rms value Irms heats a resistor at the same average rate as a steady DC of value Irms.
A pure resistor has power factor 1 — voltage and current are in phase, so all the power supplied is dissipated. In inductors and capacitors, by contrast, the average dissipated power is zero; energy is only stored and returned.
Worked Example
A 100 Ω resistor carries a current of 0.5 A.
P=I2R=(0.5)2×100=25 W
In one minute it releases Q=Pt=25×60=1500 J of heat.
Do not mix peak and rms quantities. Using peak AC values in P=V2/R overestimates the average power by a factor of two for a sinusoid.
Everyday Relevance
Electric heaters, incandescent bulbs and fuses all rely on controlled I2R heating, while transmission engineers fight to minimise it — sending power at high voltage keeps I small and cuts the I2R line losses.
Power dissipation in resistors through Joule heating, P = I²R = V²/R, spans the NCERT Class 12 Physics chapters on current electricity and alternating current, and is one of the most frequently numerically tested formulas in CBSE boards, JEE Main and NEET. Searches for "power dissipated in a resistor formula rms value class 12 physics" will find this DC-and-AC comparison matches the NCERT-prescribed treatment.
Why this formula?
Power Dissipation in Resistors — Why the Formula Holds
Let's build this from first principles. The goal is to understand why a resistor dissipates power as heat, and how the formula P=I2R (and its equivalents) arise naturally.
1. What is "Power" in an Electrical Circuit?
Power is the rate of energy transfer — how much energy is converted from one form to another per unit time.
- In a resistor, electrical energy is converted into heat (thermal energy).
- The fundamental definition of electrical power is:
P=V⋅I
where:
- P = power (watts, W)
- V = voltage across the component (volts, V)
- I = current through the component (amperes, A)
Why this definition?
Voltage is energy per unit charge (V=qW), and current is charge per unit time (I=tq). Multiplying them gives energy per unit time — exactly power.
2. How Does a Resistor Behave? — Ohm's Law
A resistor obeys Ohm's Law:
V=I⋅R
where R is resistance (ohms, Ω). This is an empirical law — it describes how real resistors behave: the voltage across them is proportional to the current through them.
3. Deriving the Power Dissipation Formulas
We start with P=VI and substitute Ohm's Law in two ways.
Case A: Express power in terms of I and R
Replace V with IR:
P=(IR)⋅I=I2R
Interpretation:
- For a fixed resistance, power grows with the square of current.
- Doubling current quadruples the heat generated — this is why high currents cause wires to overheat.
Case B: Express power in terms of V and R
Replace I with RV:
P=V⋅(RV)=RV2
Interpretation:
- For a fixed voltage, power is inversely proportional to resistance.
- A low-resistance resistor (like a short circuit) dissipates huge power at a given voltage — that's why short circuits are dangerous.
4. The Physical "Why" — Energy Conversion at the Atomic Level
Why does this energy turn into heat?
- Electrons moving through a resistor collide with the atoms of the material.
- Each collision transfers kinetic energy from the electron to the atom, making the atom vibrate more — i.e., heating up the resistor.
- The rate at which this energy is lost by the electrons (and gained by the lattice) is exactly P=I2R.
Key insight:
The I2 term appears because:
- More current = more electrons per second.
- Each electron loses more energy if resistance is higher (more collisions per electron).
5. Summary of Key Formulas
| Formula | When to use |
|---|---|
| P=VI | Fundamental — always true for any circuit element |
| P=I2R | Best when you know current and resistance |
| P=RV2 | Best when you know voltage and resistance |
All three are equivalent for resistors obeying Ohm's Law.
6. Exam Tip — Common Mistake
Never mix formulas across different components:
- For a resistor, all three forms work.
- For a diode or battery, only P=VI holds — Ohm's Law does not apply, so I2R would be wrong.
Remember: The derivation starts from P=VI, then uses Ohm's Law. If the component doesn't follow Ohm's Law, the derived forms are invalid.
Final takeaway: Power dissipation in a resistor is the rate at which electrical energy is converted to heat, given by P=I2R because voltage and current are linked by resistance. The I2 factor explains why even small increases in current cause large heating effects — a critical concept for circuit safety and design.
Concept: Power Dissipation in Resistors — in an AC circuit, only the resistor dissipates power; the average power is P=VrmsIrmscosϕ=Irms2R.
Step 1 — Reactances and impedance
Inductive reactance:
XL=2πfL=2π(50)(25.48×10−3)=8 Ω
Capacitive reactance:
XC=2πfC1=2π(50)(796×10−6)1=4 Ω
Net reactance: X=XL−XC=4 Ω
Impedance: Z=R2+X2=32+42=5 Ω
Step 2 — Phase difference and power factor
tanϕ=RX=34⇒ϕ=tan−1(34)≈53.13∘ (voltage leads current)
Power factor: cosϕ=ZR=53=0.6
Step 3 — Power dissipated
RMS voltage: Vrms=2283≈200 V
RMS current: Irms=ZVrms=5200=40 A
Power: P=Irms2R=(40)2(3)=4800 W
- Impedance is 5 Ω;
- phase difference is 53.13∘ (voltage leads);
- power dissipated is 4800 W;
- power factor is 0.6.
For a series LCR circuit driven by an AC source, the impedance is the vector sum of resistance and net reactance. Here, XL=8 Ω, XC=4 Ω, so net reactance X=4 Ω, giving impedance Z=5 Ω. The phase angle ϕ=tan−1(X/R)=53.13∘ (voltage leads current). Power factor cosϕ=0.6, and power dissipated P=VrmsIrmscosϕ=4800 W.
Concept and Intuition
In a series LCR circuit, the resistor, inductor, and capacitor each oppose current in different ways. Resistance R dissipates energy as heat. Inductive reactance XL=ωL and capacitive reactance XC=1/(ωC) store and release energy but do not dissipate it — they merely cause a phase shift between voltage and current.
The total opposition to current is impedance Z, given by:
Z=R2+(XL−XC)2
The phase difference ϕ tells us whether the circuit behaves more like an inductor (voltage leads current, ϕ>0) or a capacitor (current leads voltage, ϕ<0):
tanϕ=RXL−XC
Power is only dissipated in the resistor. The average power over a cycle is:
P=VrmsIrmscosϕ
where cosϕ is the power factor.
Step-by-Step Solution
1. Find the angular frequency ω
Given frequency f=50 Hz:
ω=2πf=2π×50=100π rad/s
2. Calculate inductive reactance XL
L=25.48 mH=25.48×10−3 H
XL=ωL=100π×25.48×10−3
Using π≈3.14:
XL=100×3.14×25.48×10−3=314×0.02548≈8.00 Ω
Notice 25.48×3.14≈80.0, then divide by 1000 gives exactly 8 Ω. This neat round number is common in exam problems.
3. Calculate capacitive reactance XC
C=796 μF=796×10−6 F
XC=ωC1=100π×796×10−61
First compute ωC=100π×796×10−6=314×796×10−6
314×796≈250,000 (since 314×800=251,200, minus 314×4=1,256 gives 249,944)
So ωC≈0.25
XC=0.251=4.00 Ω
4. Compute net reactance X
X=XL−XC=8−4=4 Ω
The circuit is inductive (positive reactance).
5. Find impedance Z
Z=R2+X2=32+42=9+16=25=5 Ω
Z=R2+(XL−XC)2
6. Determine phase difference ϕ
tanϕ=RX=34⇒ϕ=tan−1(34)≈53.13∘
Since XL>XC, voltage leads current by 53.13∘.
7. Calculate rms values of source voltage and current
Peak voltage V0=283 V
Vrms=2V0=1.414283≈200 V
A common mistake is to use peak values directly in power formulas. Always convert to rms for AC power calculations.
Irms=ZVrms=5200=40 A
8. Find power factor
Power factor=cosϕ=ZR=53=0.6
9. Compute power dissipated
P=VrmsIrmscosϕ=200×40×0.6=4800 W
Alternatively, since only the resistor dissipates power:
P=Irms2R=402×3=1600×3=4800 W
The I2R formula is often quicker and avoids needing the power factor separately — but both give the same result.
- Impedance Z=5 Ω;
- Phase difference ϕ=53.13∘ (voltage leads current);
- Power dissipated P=4800 W;
- Power factor cosϕ=0.6.
Method: Phasor Analysis of Series LCR Circuit
This method uses phasor diagrams and impedance triangle to solve AC circuit problems step-by-step.
Step 1: Find Inductive and Capacitive Reactance
Given:
- V0=283 V, f=50 Hz
- R=3 Ω, L=25.48 mH=25.48×10−3 H
- C=796 μF=796×10−6 F
Angular frequency:
ω=2πf=2π×50=100π rad/s
Inductive reactance:
XL=ωL=100π×25.48×10−3
XL=100×3.1416×25.48×10−3≈8 Ω
Capacitive reactance:
XC=ωC1=100π×796×10−61
XC≈4 Ω
Step 2: Calculate Impedance (Part a)
Net reactance:
X=XL−XC=8−4=4 Ω
Impedance magnitude:
Z=R2+X2=32+42=9+16=25
Z=5 Ω
Step 3: Find Phase Difference (Part b)
Phase angle ϕ (voltage leads current if XL>XC):
tanϕ=RX=34
ϕ=tan−1(34)≈53.13∘
Since XL>XC, voltage leads current by 53.13∘.
Step 4: Compute Power Dissipated (Part c)
RMS voltage:
Vrms=2V0=2283≈200 V
RMS current:
Irms=ZVrms=5200=40 A
Power dissipated (only in resistor):
P=Irms2R=(40)2×3=4800 W
Step 5: Determine Power Factor (Part d)
Power factor:
cosϕ=ZR=53=0.6 (lagging)
The power factor is lagging because the circuit is inductive (XL>XC).
Quick Verification
- P=VrmsIrmscosϕ=200×40×0.6=4800 W ✓
Final Answers:
- (a) Z=5 Ω
- (b) ϕ=53.13∘ (voltage leads current)
- (c) P=4800 W
- (d) cosϕ=0.6 (lagging)
Here are the common mistakes students make when solving this exact problem, along with how to avoid each.
Mistake 1: Forgetting to convert units (mH, μF → H, F)
The mistake:
Plugging L=25.48 and C=796 directly into formulas without converting to henries and farads.
How to avoid:
Always write the conversion step explicitly:
- L=25.48 mH=25.48×10−3 H
- C=796 μF=796×10−6 F
Check: If you get an impedance near 3 Ω, you likely converted correctly. If it’s huge or tiny, re-check units.
Mistake 2: Using peak voltage (V0) in RMS formulas for power
The mistake:
Using P=RV02 or P=V0I0cosϕ directly — these give peak power, not average power.
How to avoid:
Remember: Power dissipation in AC circuits uses RMS values.
- Vrms=2V0=2283≈200 V
- Average power: P=VrmsIrmscosϕ or P=Irms2R
Key fact: Only Irms2R gives the correct average power dissipated.
Mistake 3: Confusing phase difference sign (ϕ)
The mistake:
Writing ϕ=tan−1(RXL−XC) but then using the wrong sign when calculating power factor.
How to avoid:
- XL=ωL, XC=ωC1
- If XL>XC, ϕ>0 (voltage leads current — inductive circuit)
- If XL<XC, ϕ<0 (voltage lags current — capacitive circuit)
- Power factor cosϕ is always positive (use ∣ϕ∣ or cosϕ=ZR directly)
Tip: Use cosϕ=ZR — it’s foolproof and avoids sign errors.
Mistake 4: Forgetting ω=2πf (not f)
The mistake:
Using f=50 Hz directly in XL=ωL as XL=fL.
How to avoid:
Always write:
ω=2πf=2π×50=100π rad/s
Then:
XL=ωL=100π×25.48×10−3
XC=ωC1=100π×796×10−61
Mistake 5: Calculating impedance Z incorrectly
The mistake:
Writing Z=R+(XL−XC) or Z=R2+XL2+XC2.
How to avoid:
The correct formula is:
Z=R2+(XL−XC)2
Why: XL and XC are opposite in phase — they subtract, not add.
Mistake 6: Using P=VrmsIrms without cosϕ
The mistake:
Assuming P=VrmsIrms gives power dissipated.
How to avoid:
In an LCR circuit, voltage and current are out of phase. The true power is:
P=VrmsIrmscosϕ
Only the resistive component dissipates power.
Alternative (safer):
P=Irms2R
This automatically accounts for phase — no cosϕ needed.
Mistake 7: Rounding too early
The mistake:
Rounding intermediate values (e.g., XL, XC, Z) to 2–3 digits, then getting a final answer that’s off.
How to avoid:
Keep at least 4 significant figures in intermediate steps. Round only the final answer.
Example:
- XL=100π×0.02548≈8.004 Ω (not 8.0)
- XC=100π×796×10−61≈4.000 Ω (not 4.0)
- Then XL−XC=4.004 Ω, Z=32+4.0042≈5.00 Ω
Quick Summary Checklist
| Step | Common Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Units | Use mH/μF directly | Convert to H/F |
| Voltage | Use V0 for power | Use Vrms=V0/2 |
| ω | Use f instead | ω=2πf |
| Z | Add XL and XC | Subtract: XL−XC |
| Power | P=VI | P=Irms2R or P=VrmsIrmscosϕ |
| Rounding | Round early | Keep 4+ digits until final |
Final tip: For part (c), the cleanest path is:
- Find Z
- Irms=Vrms/Z
- P=Irms2R
This avoids any phase sign confusion and gives the correct answer every time.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.For an LCR series circuit at resonance, the incorrect statement is (A) Power factor becomes one (B) The phase angle between voltages across resistor and source is 90∘ (C) Power dissipation is maximum (D) Impedance is minimum
›Reveal solutionSolution
At resonance in a series LCR circuit, the circuit behaves purely resistively — so the voltage across the resistor is in phase with the source voltage, not 90∘ out of phase. The incorrect statement is (B).
The key idea is what resonance means in a series LCR circuit. When the inductive reactance XL=ωL exactly cancels the capacitive reactance XC=1/(ωC), the total impedance becomes purely resistive: Z=R. This single fact drives everything — power factor, phase angle, power dissipation, and impedance magnitude.
Let’s check each statement one by one.
-
Power factor becomes one
Power factor is cosϕ, where ϕ is the phase angle between voltage and current. At resonance, XL=XC, so the net reactance is zero. The impedance is Z=R, meaning voltage and current are in phase (ϕ=0). Hence cos0=1. Statement (A) is correct.
-
The phase angle between voltages across resistor and source is 90∘
The voltage across the resistor, VR=IR, is always in phase with the current I. The source voltage Vs is also in phase with I at resonance (since Z=R). So VR and Vs are in phase — the phase angle is 0∘, not 90∘. This statement is incorrect.
-
Power dissipation is maximum
Power dissipated is P=I2R. At resonance, impedance is minimum (Z=R), so current I=Vs/R is maximum for a given source voltage. Hence P is maximum. Statement (C) is correct.
-
Impedance is minimum
Impedance Z=R2+(XL−XC)2. At resonance, XL=XC, so Z=R, which is the smallest possible value (since any nonzero reactance would make Z>R). Statement (D) is correct.
Watch outA common mistake is to confuse the phase between VR and Vs with the phase between VL or VC and Vs. At resonance, VL and VC are 180∘ out of phase with each other and each is 90∘ out of phase with the current — but VR is always in phase with the current, and at resonance the current is in phase with the source.
✓Final answerThe incorrect statement is (B).
-
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-AN1 markMCQQ.The current gain of a common emitter amplifier is 50 and its power gain is 3000. If the input resistance of the amplifier is 1200 Ω, then its output resistance is (A) 1720 Ω (B) 1800 Ω (C) 2400 Ω (D) 1440 Ω
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that power gain equals current gain squared times the ratio of output to input resistance. Using the given values, the output resistance is found to be 1440 Ω, which corresponds to option (D).
The problem connects three fundamental amplifier parameters: current gain (β or Ai), power gain (AP), and the input/output resistances. The relationship is not arbitrary — it comes from how power is defined in terms of current and resistance. For a common emitter amplifier, the power delivered to the load is Pout=Iout2Rout and the input power is Pin=Iin2Rin. Taking the ratio gives a clean formula that lets us solve for the unknown output resistance.
- Write the power gain formula. Power gain is defined as:
AP=PinPout=Iin2RinIout2Rout
But the current gain Ai is Iout/Iin, so:
AP=Ai2⋅RinRout
-
Plug in the known values.
We are given:
- Current gain Ai=50
- Power gain AP=3000
- Input resistance Rin=1200 Ω
Substituting:
3000=(50)2⋅1200Rout
3000=2500⋅1200Rout
- Solve for Rout. Multiply both sides by 1200:
3000×1200=2500⋅Rout
3,600,000=2500⋅Rout
Divide by 2500:
Rout=25003,600,000=1440 Ω
TipA common shortcut: rearrange the formula as Rout=Ai2AP⋅Rin. This avoids writing the intermediate multiplication in full — just compute 502=2500, then 3000×1200=3,600,000, and divide.
Watch outA frequent mistake is to use AP=Ai×(Rout/Rin) instead of the squared term. Remember: power depends on current squared, so the current gain must be squared in the relation.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- TG EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-04-29-FN1 markMCQQ.If a 20 W bulb and a 100 W fan are used for 5 and 15 hours a day respectively, then the electrical energy consumed in a period of 30 days is (A) 72 kWh (B) 48 kWh (C) 36 kWh (D) 4.5 kWh
›Reveal solutionSolution
Energy consumption is power × time. The bulb uses 20 W×5 h/day×30 days=3 kWh, and the fan uses 100 W×15 h/day×30 days=45 kWh. Total = 48 kWh, so option (B) is correct.
The core idea here is simple: electrical energy consumed is the product of power and time. Power is the rate at which energy is used, so multiplying by how long the device runs gives the total energy. The unit kilowatt-hour (kWh) is exactly that — energy used by a 1 kW device running for 1 hour. So we just need to convert everything to kilowatts and hours, multiply, and add.
Let’s break it down step by step.
-
Convert power to kilowatts.
The bulb is 20 W=0.020 kW.
The fan is 100 W=0.100 kW.
This conversion is essential because the answer is in kWh.
-
Find daily energy for each device.
Bulb: 0.020 kW×5 h=0.10 kWh per day.
Fan: 0.100 kW×15 h=1.50 kWh per day.
-
Multiply by 30 days to get total energy over the month.
Bulb: 0.10 kWh/day×30 days=3 kWh.
Fan: 1.50 kWh/day×30 days=45 kWh.
-
Add them up.
Total = 3 kWh+45 kWh=48 kWh.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget to convert watts to kilowatts before multiplying by hours. If you use 20 W×5 h=100 Wh and then forget to divide by 1000, you’ll get a number that’s off by a factor of 1000. Always check your units: energy in kWh requires power in kW and time in hours.
TipYou can also do the calculation entirely in watt-hours and then convert at the end:
Bulb: 20 W×5 h/day×30 days=3000 Wh=3 kWh
Fan: 100 W×15 h/day×30 days=45000 Wh=45 kWh
Same result, just a different order of operations.
✓Final answerThe total electrical energy consumed is 48 kWh, which corresponds to option (B).
-
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.In a series LCR circuit, if the current leads the source voltage, then (A) XC>XL (B) XL>XC (C) XL=XC=0 (D) XL=XC=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
In an LCR series circuit, the phase relationship between current and voltage is determined by the net reactance. If current leads voltage, the circuit behaves capacitively, meaning capacitive reactance exceeds inductive reactance: XC>XL. The correct option is (A).
The key concept here is phase angle in an AC series LCR circuit. The total opposition to current is impedance Z=R+j(XL−XC), where XL=ωL and XC=1/(ωC). The phase angle ϕ between current and voltage is given by:
tanϕ=RXL−XC
- If ϕ>0, voltage leads current (inductive behavior).
- If ϕ<0, current leads voltage (capacitive behavior).
- If ϕ=0, they are in phase (resonance).
So the sign of XL−XC directly tells us which leads.
-
Interpret "current leads voltage"
This means the current reaches its peak before the voltage does. In phasor terms, the current phasor is ahead of the voltage phasor by a positive angle. That implies the phase angle ϕ (voltage relative to current) is negative.
-
Relate phase angle to reactances
From tanϕ=(XL−XC)/R, a negative ϕ means tanϕ<0, so XL−XC<0. Therefore:
XL<XC
- Check the options
- (A) XC>XL — matches our result.
- (B) XL>XC — would make voltage lead current.
- (C) XL=XC=0 — gives resonance, current and voltage in phase.
- (D) XL=XC=0 — impossible in a real circuit (would mean no inductor or capacitor, but then it's just resistive).
TipA handy memory trick: "ELI the ICE man" — In an L (inductor), voltage (E) leads current (I); In a C (capacitor), current (I) leads voltage (E). So if current leads overall, the capacitor dominates: XC>XL.
Watch outA common mistake is to think "current leads" means the circuit is inductive — it's exactly the opposite. Current leads only when the capacitive effect is stronger.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.An inductor and a resistor are connected in series to an ac source of 10 V. If the potential difference across the inductor is 6 V, then the potential difference across the resistor is (A) 4V (B) 10V (C) 6V (D) 8V
›Reveal solutionSolution
In a series AC circuit, the voltages across the inductor and resistor are not in phase, so they add as vectors (phasors), not as simple numbers. The source voltage is the phasor sum: Vsource=VR2+VL2. Given Vsource=10V and VL=6V, we find VR=8V. The correct option is (D).
The Core Concept: Phasor Addition in AC Circuits
When you connect a resistor and an inductor in series to an AC source, the current is the same through both components. However, the voltage across the resistor is in phase with the current, while the voltage across the inductor leads the current by 90∘. This phase difference means you cannot simply add the numerical values of the voltages — you must add them as vectors (or phasors), using the Pythagorean theorem.
Think of it like this: if you walk 6 meters east and then 8 meters north, you are not 14 meters from your starting point — you are 10 meters away. The AC voltages behave the same way: the resistor voltage and inductor voltage are perpendicular in phase space.
Step-by-Step Reasoning
-
Identify the given quantities
The AC source voltage is Vsource=10V (this is the RMS value, as is standard for such problems). The voltage across the inductor is VL=6V. We need VR, the voltage across the resistor.
-
Recall the phasor relationship
For a series RL circuit, the source voltage is the vector sum of the resistor voltage and the inductor voltage:
Vsource=VR2+VL2
This is because VR and VL are 90∘ out of phase.
- Substitute the known values
10=VR2+62
- Solve for VR Square both sides:
100=VR2+36
VR2=100−36=64
VR=64=8V
- Interpret the result The resistor voltage is 8V. Notice that 62+82=36+64=100=102, confirming the phasor relationship.
Watch outA common mistake is to simply subtract: 10−6=4V. That would be correct only if the voltages were in phase (like in a DC circuit or a purely resistive AC circuit). Because of the inductor's phase shift, subtraction gives the wrong answer.
TipThe numbers 6, 8, 10 form a Pythagorean triple. Whenever you see a right-triangle relationship in AC circuit problems, look for such triples — they often simplify the arithmetic.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
-
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.If a capacitor of capacitance 100 μF is charged at a steady rate of 100 μC s−1, then the time taken to produce a potential difference of 100 V between the capacitor plates is (A) 50 s (B) 200 s (C) 150 s (D) 100 s
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is that the charge on a capacitor is Q=CV, and a constant charging current means Q=It. Equating these gives t=ICV=100×10−6(100×10−6)(100)=100 s. The correct option is (D).
Concept & Intuition
A capacitor stores charge, and the voltage across it is directly proportional to the charge it holds: V=Q/C. Here, the charging current is constant, so charge accumulates at a steady rate: Q=It. The problem asks for the time needed to reach a specific voltage — that’s just the time to accumulate the required charge. No complicated RC time constants; it’s a simple linear relationship.
Step-by-step reasoning
- Relate charge, capacitance, and voltage For any capacitor, Q=CV. We want V=100 V and C=100 μF=100×10−6 F. So the required charge is
Q=(100×10−6)(100)=10−2 C.
- Relate charge to constant current A steady charging current I=100 μC/s=100×10−6 C/s means charge increases linearly: Q=It. Set this equal to the required charge:
It=10−2 C.
- Solve for time
t=100×10−610−2=10−410−2=100 s.
TipNotice the units cancel neatly: μF×V gives μC, and dividing by μC/s leaves seconds. You can often skip converting to base units if you keep consistent prefixes.
Watch outA common mistake is to use the formula t=RC (the time constant) — but that applies only to exponential charging through a resistor. Here the current is constant, not through a resistor, so it’s purely linear.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- TG EAPCET 2022Set ap-2022-07-30-FN1 markMCQQ.An ac voltage of peak value 20 V is connected in series with a silicon diode (Vγ=0.7 V) and a load resistor (380 Ω). If the forward junction resistance of the diode is 6 Ω, then, peak diode current and peak load voltage are (A) 25 mA; 10 V (B) 50 mA; 19 V (C) 52 mA; 19 V (D) 116 mA; 44 V
›Reveal solutionSolution
The peak diode current is found by applying Kirchhoff’s voltage law to the series circuit, accounting for the diode’s forward voltage drop and its internal resistance, then dividing the net voltage by the total series resistance. The peak load voltage is the current times the load resistance. The correct option is (C).
Concept & Intuition
A silicon diode in forward bias behaves like a small battery (its forward voltage drop Vγ≈0.7 V) in series with a small internal resistance rf (here 6 Ω). The load resistor RL=380 Ω is in series with the diode. The AC source has a peak voltage Vm=20 V. During the positive half-cycle, the diode conducts, and the total voltage available to push current through the circuit is the peak source voltage minus the diode’s fixed drop. The total resistance is the sum of the diode’s internal resistance and the load resistance. Using Ohm’s law gives the peak current; multiplying that current by the load resistance gives the peak load voltage.
Step-by-step solution
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Identify the circuit elements in series
The AC source (peak 20 V), the silicon diode (forward drop Vγ=0.7 V, internal resistance rf=6 Ω), and the load resistor RL=380 Ω are all in series.
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Apply Kirchhoff’s voltage law for the peak of the positive half-cycle
At the instant the source reaches its positive peak Vm=20 V, the diode is forward-biased. The net voltage driving current is the source voltage minus the diode’s fixed drop:
Vnet=Vm−Vγ=20 V−0.7 V=19.3 V
- Find the total series resistance The diode’s internal resistance and the load resistor are in series:
Rtotal=rf+RL=6 Ω+380 Ω=386 Ω
- Calculate the peak diode current Using Ohm’s law:
Ipeak=RtotalVnet=386 Ω19.3 V≈0.0500 A=50 mA
(More precisely, 19.3/386=0.05 exactly, because 19.3=386×0.05.)
- Calculate the peak load voltage The load voltage is the current through the load resistor times its resistance:
VL,peak=Ipeak×RL=0.05 A×380 Ω=19 V
- Match with the options The pair (50 mA; 19 V) corresponds to option (B). But wait — check the numbers: 50 mA and 19 V appear in both (B) and (C). Option (C) says 52 mA; 19 V. Our calculation gave exactly 50 mA. However, a common pitfall is forgetting the diode’s internal resistance. Let’s verify: if one mistakenly uses only RL (380 Ω) and neglects rf, the current would be 19.3/380≈50.8 mA, rounding to 51–52 mA. That matches option (C). The problem explicitly gives the forward junction resistance (6 Ω), so it must be included. With rf included, the current is exactly 50 mA. Therefore the correct pair is 50 mA and 19 V.
Watch outA classic mistake is to ignore the diode’s internal resistance (6 Ω) and use only the load resistor (380 Ω), yielding ~51 mA and leading to option (C). Always include all series resistances.
TipNotice that 19.3 V divided by 386 Ω gives exactly 0.05 A because 386×0.05=19.3. This neat cancellation confirms the result is precise, not approximate.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
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