AC CIRCUIT Flashcards
What does AC stand for in electrical circuits?
Alternating Current
True or False: In an AC circuit, the current flows in one direction only.
False
Fill in the blank: The frequency of AC is measured in _____?
Hertz (Hz)
What is the typical frequency of AC in household circuits in most countries?
50 or 60 Hz
What is the peak voltage in an AC circuit?
The maximum voltage reached in one cycle
What is the root mean square (RMS) voltage in an AC circuit?
The effective voltage that delivers the same power as a DC circuit
True or False: The RMS value of an AC voltage is always greater than the peak voltage.
False
What is the formula to calculate RMS voltage from peak voltage?
V_rms = V_peak / √2
What component is used to store energy in an AC circuit?
Capacitor
What is the role of an inductor in an AC circuit?
To store energy in a magnetic field
Fill in the blank: The total opposition to current flow in an AC circuit is called _____?
Impedance
What is the unit of impedance?
Ohm (Ω)
How is impedance in an AC circuit different from resistance in a DC circuit?
Impedance accounts for both resistance and reactance.
What is reactance?
The opposition to AC due to capacitance or inductance
True or False: Capacitive reactance decreases with increasing frequency.
True
What is the formula for capacitive reactance (Xc)?
Xc = 1 / (2πfC)
What happens to the current in a capacitive circuit when the frequency increases?
The current increases.
What is inductive reactance (Xl)?
The opposition to current flow due to inductance in an AC circuit
What is the formula for inductive reactance (Xl)?
Xl = 2πfL
True or False: Inductive reactance increases with increasing frequency.
True
What is the phase difference in an AC circuit?
The angle by which the current and voltage waveforms are out of sync
In a purely resistive AC circuit, what is the phase difference between voltage and current?
0 degrees
In a purely inductive AC circuit, what is the phase difference between voltage and current?
90 degrees
In a purely capacitive AC circuit, what is the phase difference between voltage and current?
-90 degrees
What is the power factor in an AC circuit?
The ratio of real power to apparent power
What is the range of power factor values?
0 to 1
True or False: A power factor of 1 indicates all the power is being used effectively.
True
What is the formula for calculating real power (P) in an AC circuit?
P = V_rms * I_rms * cos(φ)
Fill in the blank: The total power in an AC circuit is known as _____?
Apparent Power
What is the unit for apparent power?
Volt-Ampere (VA)
What is the relationship between real power, reactive power, and apparent power known as?
Power triangle
What is reactive power (Q)?
Power that alternates between the source and reactive components without being consumed
What is the formula for reactive power?
Q = V_rms * I_rms * sin(φ)
What is the significance of the resonance frequency in an RLC circuit?
It is the frequency at which impedance is minimized and current is maximized.
What is the formula for the resonance frequency (f₀) in an RLC circuit?
f₀ = 1 / (2π√(LC))
True or False: At resonance, the inductive reactance equals the capacitive reactance.
True
What type of circuit is created when a resistor, inductor, and capacitor are connected in series?
Series RLC circuit
What type of circuit is created when a resistor, inductor, and capacitor are connected in parallel?
Parallel RLC circuit
What is the effect of adding more resistance to an AC circuit?
It reduces the current.
What is the effect of adding more capacitance to an AC circuit?
It increases the capacitive reactance.
What is the effect of adding more inductance to an AC circuit?
It increases the inductive reactance.
What is a transformer used for in AC circuits?
To change the voltage level of AC electricity.
True or False: Transformers only work with direct current (DC).
False
What is the principle of operation of a transformer?
Electromagnetic induction
What are the two main types of transformers?
Step-up and step-down transformers
What is the purpose of a step-up transformer?
To increase voltage while decreasing current.
What is the purpose of a step-down transformer?
To decrease voltage while increasing current.
What is the law of conservation of energy in relation to transformers?
The power input equals the power output (ignoring losses).
What is the formula relating primary and secondary voltages in a transformer?
V₁ / V₂ = N₁ / N₂
What does N₁ and N₂ represent in the transformer voltage formula?
The number of turns in the primary and secondary coils, respectively.
True or False: In an AC circuit, the total current is the sum of the individual branch currents in a parallel circuit.
True
What is the equivalent resistance in a parallel circuit?
1 / R_eq = 1 / R₁ + 1 / R₂ + … + 1 / R_n
What happens to the total current in a parallel circuit if one branch is removed?
The total current will still flow through the remaining branches.
What is the primary use of an oscilloscope in AC circuit analysis?
To visualize voltage waveforms.
What is the significance of the waveform shape in AC circuits?
It affects the power and behavior of the circuit.