Q.A 100 Ω resistor is connected to a 220 V, 50 Hz ac supply.
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 a purely resistive AC circuit — the resistor dissipates power exactly as it would under a DC voltage equal to the RMS value.
Step 1 — RMS current
For a resistor, Ohm’s law holds for RMS values:
Irms=RVrms.
Step 2 — Substitute values
Irms=100 Ω220 V=2.2 A.
Step 3 — Power over a full cycle
In a pure resistor, power is always positive and given by P=VrmsIrms=Irms2R.
P=(2.2)2×100=4.84×100=484 W.
- The rms current is 2.2 A;
- the net power consumed over a full cycle is 484 W.
For a purely resistive AC circuit, the rms current is found by Ohm’s law using the rms voltage, and the power consumed is simply Irms2R — no phase shift means all power is real. Here, Irms=2.2 A and the net power over a full cycle is 484 W.
Why this is straightforward
A resistor is the simplest AC load. Unlike an inductor or capacitor, it has no phase difference between voltage and current — the current is exactly in step with the voltage at every instant. That means the instantaneous power p(t)=v(t)i(t) is always positive (it never returns energy to the source), and the average power over a cycle is just the same as the DC power you’d get if you used the rms values.
The rms value of an AC quantity is defined precisely so that Ohm’s law and the power formula P=I2R work exactly as they do in DC — provided you use rms voltage and rms current. That’s the key insight.
Step-by-step solution
1. Identify the given data
- Resistance: R=100 Ω
- Supply voltage (rms): Vrms=220 V
- Frequency: f=50 Hz (not needed for a pure resistor — it only matters if there’s reactance)
2. Find the rms current using Ohm’s law
For a resistor, the rms current is simply:
Irms=RVrms
Substitute:
Irms=100220=2.2 A
The frequency 50 Hz is a red herring here. In a purely resistive circuit, the current magnitude depends only on Vrms and R, not on how fast the voltage oscillates.
3. Compute the net power consumed over a full cycle
In AC circuits, the average power (or real power) for any element is:
Pav=VrmsIrmscosϕ
where ϕ is the phase angle between voltage and current. For a pure resistor, ϕ=0∘, so cosϕ=1.
Thus:
Pav=VrmsIrms=220×2.2=484 W
Equivalently, using P=Irms2R:
Pav=(2.2)2×100=4.84×100=484 W
A common mistake is to use peak voltage V0=2Vrms in the power formula. That would give P=RV02=968 W, which is double the correct value. Always use rms values for average power.
4. Why “over a full cycle” matters
Instantaneous power p(t)=RV02sin2(ωt) oscillates between 0 and 2Pav, but its average over one complete cycle is exactly Pav. Since the resistor never stores energy, the net energy dissipated per cycle is Pav×T, where T=1/f=0.02 s.
- The rms current is 2.2 A.
- The net power consumed over a full cycle is 484 W.
Method: RMS Power in AC Circuits (Joule Heating Method)
This method uses the RMS (Root Mean Square) approach, which is the standard way to handle power in AC circuits because instantaneous power varies sinusoidally, but average power depends on the RMS values.
Steps
Step 1: Identify given data
- Resistance: R=100 Ω
- Supply voltage (RMS): Vrms=220 V
- Frequency: f=50 Hz (not needed for this calculation — it cancels out in RMS power)
Step 2: Apply Ohm’s law for RMS values
For a purely resistive AC circuit, the RMS current is:
Irms=RVrms
Substitute:
Irms=100220=2.2 A
Step 3: Compute average power over a full cycle
For a resistor, the average power is:
Pavg=Vrms×Irms
Or equivalently:
Pavg=Irms2R=RVrms2
Using the simplest form:
Pavg=220×2.2=484 W
Final Answer
- (a) RMS current: 2.2 A
- (b) Net power consumed over a full cycle: 484 W
Why this works: In a pure resistor, voltage and current are in phase, so the instantaneous power p(t)=v(t)i(t) is always positive. The average of p(t) over one cycle equals the product of RMS voltage and RMS current — no need to integrate.
Here are the common mistakes students make with this exact problem, and how to avoid each one.
Mistake 1: Confusing Peak and RMS Values
The Mistake:
Students often take the given 220 V as the peak voltage (V0) and then calculate current using I0=V0/R.
This leads to an incorrect rms current.
Why it’s wrong:
In standard AC supply notation, 220 V is the rms voltage (Vrms), not the peak. The peak voltage is V0=Vrms×2≈311 V.
How to Avoid:
Always check the problem statement. If it says “220 V AC supply”, treat it as rms unless explicitly stated as “peak” or “maximum”.
Correct approach for part (a):
Irms=RVrms=100220=2.2 A
Mistake 2: Using the Wrong Power Formula
The Mistake:
Students use P=Vrms×Irms without considering the power factor, or they use P=I02R (using peak current).
Why it’s wrong:
For a pure resistor, voltage and current are in phase, so power factor cosϕ=1.
But if you use peak values, you get peak power, not average power over a cycle.
How to Avoid:
For a resistor in AC, the net power consumed over a full cycle is the same as DC power using rms values:
P=Vrms×Irms=Irms2R=RVrms2
Correct for part (b):
P=(2.2)2×100=4.84×100=484 W
Mistake 3: Including Frequency in the Calculation
The Mistake:
Students see 50 Hz and try to use it — for example, by calculating XL=2πfL (but there’s no inductor) or using time-averaging formulas unnecessarily.
Why it’s wrong:
For a pure resistor, frequency does not affect resistance or power dissipation. The 50 Hz is a distractor.
How to Avoid:
Recognise that frequency matters only when inductors (L) or capacitors (C) are present. Here, the circuit is purely resistive — ignore the frequency.
Mistake 4: Forgetting the “Over a Full Cycle” Condition
The Mistake:
Students calculate instantaneous power at a specific time (e.g., at peak voltage) and give that as the answer.
Why it’s wrong:
Instantaneous power in AC varies sinusoidally. The question asks for net power over a full cycle, which is the average power.
How to Avoid:
Remember: For a resistor, average power = Irms2R. This already accounts for the full cycle.
Quick Summary Table
| Mistake | Why it’s wrong | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Treating 220 V as peak | Gives wrong Irms | Remember: mains voltage is rms |
| Using P=V0I0 | Gives peak power, not average | Use rms values for average power |
| Using frequency | Irrelevant for pure resistors | Ignore f unless L or C present |
| Giving instantaneous power | Not “over a full cycle” | Use Irms2R |
Final Answer Check:
- Irms=2.2 A
- P=484 W
- 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).
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- 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).
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- 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
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- 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
-
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.
-
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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