21.
Alternating
Currents
in Physics
Candice, Justin, Divisha, Jashan
Upper 6 Physics
Table of contents
21. Characteristics of Alternating
1 Currents
21.
2 Rectification and Smoothing
21.1
Characteristics of
Alternating
Currents
How present is it in our daily lives?
What is an alternating
current/voltage?
➔ An alternating current/voltage is a current which periodically
varies from positive to negative and changes magnitude
continuously with time.
➔ Examples of alternating currents: kitchen appliances, bulbs,
televisions, fans, and electric lamps.
21.1.1 Understand and use the terms period,
frequency and peak value as applied to an alternating
current or voltage
In terms of an alternating current or
voltage:
➔ Period is the time is takes to
complete one alternating current
or voltage cycle and is measured
in seconds.
➔ Frequency is the number of cycles
per second at which the current
changes direction and is
measured in Hertz.
➔ Peak Value is the maximum
value that the alternating current
or voltage reaches in one cycle
and can be either positive or
21.1.2 Use equations of the form x = x0 sin ωt
representing a sinusoidally alternating current or
voltage
Using I = I0 sin ωt
➔ I = current (A)
➔ I0 = peak current (A)
➔ ω = angular frequency of the supply (rad s-1 )
➔ t = time (s)
Using V = V0 sin ωt
➔ V = voltage (V)
➔ V0 = peak voltage (V)
➔ ω = angular frequency of the supply (rad s-1 )
➔ t = time (s)
21.1.3 Recalling that mean power in a
resistive load is half the max power for a
sinusoidal alternating current
● In mains electricity, both current and voltage can
fluctuate constantly, which means that power can also
vary continuously.
P=IV P=V^2/R P=I^2xR
● Where:
○ I = direct current (A)
○ V = direct voltage (V)
○ R = resistance (Ω)
21.1.3 Recalling that mean power in a
resistive load is half the max power for a
sinusoidal alternating current
● The root mean
square(r.m.s) values
means equations used
for direct current and
voltage can now be
applied to alternating
current and voltage
These are also used to
determine an average
current or voltage for
alternating supplies
21.1.3 Recalling that mean power in a
resistive load is half the max power for a
sinusoidal alternating current
● Therefore, it can be concluded that:
The mean power in a resistive load is half the maximum power for a
sinusoidal alternating current or voltage
21.1.4 Distinguish between r.m.s and
peak values and recall formulas
● Root-mean-square (r.m.s) values of current, or voltage, are a useful
way of comparing a.c current, or voltage, to its equivalent direct current,
or voltage
● The r.m.s values represent the d.c current, or voltage, values that will
produce the same heating effect, or power dissipation, as the alternating
current, or voltage
● The r.m.s value of an alternating current is defined as:
The value of a constant current that produces the same power in a
resistor as the alternating current
● The r.m.s current is defined by the equation:
21.1.4 Distinguish between r.m.s and
peak values and recall formulas
● The r.m.s value of an alternating voltage is defined as:
The value of a constant voltage that produces the same power in
a resistor as the alternating voltage
● The r.m.s voltage Vr.m.s is defined by the equation:
● Where:
○ I0 = peak current (A)
○ V0 = peak voltage (V)
In summary…
➔ Peak Value is defined as the maximum value that the
alternating quantity (current or voltage) reaches in one cycle
(either positive or negative).
➔ RMS value (root mean square) stands for the square root of
means of squares of instantaneous values.
21.2
Rectification &
Smoothing
Rectification
What is rectification?
The reduction in the variation of the output voltage or current.
Rectification is used in electronic devices that require direct current. For instance,
mains voltage, which is generated as alternating current at power stations, needs
to be rectified to provide direct current.
Types of Rectification:
● There are two types of rectification:
○ Half-wave rectification
○ Full-wave rectification
● For half-wave rectification:
○ The graph of the output voltage Vout against time is a sine curve with the
positive cycles and a flat line (Vout = 0) on the negative cycle
○ This is because the diode only conducts in the positive direction
Half Wave VS Full Wave Rectification
Half wave rectification:
● Half-wave rectification consists of a single diode
○ An alternating input voltage is connected to a circuit with a load resistor and diode in
series
● The diode will only conduct during the positive cycles of the input alternating voltage,
○ Hence there is only current in the load resistor during these positive cycles
● The output voltage Vout across the resistor will fluctuate against against time in the same way
as the input alternating voltage except there are no negative cycles
● This type of rectification means half of the time the voltage is zero
● So, the power available from a half-wave rectified supply is reduced
Half-wave rectification requires a single diode and the graph is
represented by only the positive cycles
Full Wave
Rectification
Explanation
● During the positive cycles of the input voltage (When P is positive)
○ Diodes 1 and 2 in forward bias will conduct
○ The other two in reverse bias will not conduct
○ A current will flow in the load resistor with the positive terminal at the
top of the resistor
● During the negative cycles of the input voltage (When Q is positive), the
positive and negative terminals of the input alternating voltage supply will
swap
○ The two diodes that were forward bias (1 and 2) will now be in
reverse bias and not conduct
○ The other two in reverse bias (3 and 4) will now be in forward bias
and will conduct
○ The current in the load resistor will still flow in the same direction as
before
Smoothing and its effect
What is smoothing?
The reduction in the variation of the output voltage or current
● A single capacitor with capacitance CCC is connected in parallel with a load
resistor of resistance RRR. The capacitor charges from the input voltage and
keeps the voltage high. When the rectified voltage decreases, the capacitor
discharges slowly through the resistor, but as the voltage rises again, the
capacitor recharges.
● The amount of smoothing is controlled by the capacitance C of the capacitor
and the resistance R of the load resistor
a. The less the rippling effect, the smoother the rectified current and
voltage output
● The slower the capacitor discharges, the more the smoothing that occurs ie.
smaller ripples
● This can be achieved by using:
Quiz:
1. What is rectification?
2. What is defined as an A.c.
current, and what are the
examples of the
application of a.c. current
?
Thank you for
listening
