CHAPTER 14 ALTERNATING VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS

Exercise 77, Page 218

1. Determine the periodic time for the following frequencies: (a) 2.5 Hz (b) 100 Hz (c) 40 kHz

1
1

(a) Periodic time, T = f 2.5 = 0.4 s

1
1

(b) Periodic time, T = f 100 = 0.01 s or 10 ms

1
1

3
(c) Periodic time, T = f 40 10 = 25 s

2. Calculate the frequency for the following periodic times: (a) 5 ms (b) 50 s (c) 0.2 s

1
1

3
(a) Frequency, f = T 5 10 = 200 Hz or 0.2 kHz
1
1

6
(b) Frequency, f = T 50 10 = 20 kHz
1
1

(c) Frequency, f = T 0.2 = 5 Hz

3. An alternating current completes 4 cycles in 5 ms. What is its frequency?

5
Time for one cycle, T = 4 ms = 1.25 ms
1
1

3
Hence, frequency, f = T 1.25 10 = 800 Hz

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Exercise 78, Page 221

1. An alternating current varies with time over half a cycle as follows:
Current (A) 0 0.7 2.0 4.2 8.4 8.2 2.5 1.0 0.4 0.2 0
time (ms)

10

The negative half cycle is similar. Plot the curve and determine: (a) the frequency (b) the
instantaneous values at 3.4 ms and 5.8 ms (c) its mean value, and (d) its r.m.s. value.
The graph is shown plotted below.

1
1

3
(a) Periodic time, T = 2 10 ms = 20 ms, hence, frequency, f = T 20 10 = 50 Hz
(b) At 3.4 ms, current, i = 5.5 A
and at 5.8 ms, i = 3.1 A
area under curve
(c) Mean value = length of base

Using the mid-ordinate rule,

110 0.3 1.4 3.1 6.0 8.8 5.5 1.6 0.8 0.3 0.2
3

area under curve =

110 28 28 10
=
3

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28 103
3
Hence, mean value = 10 10 = 2.8 A

(d) r.m.s. value =

0.32 1.4 2 3.12 6.0 2 8.82 5.52 1.6 2 0.82 0.32 0.2 2

10

158.68
10 = 3.98 A or 4.0 A, correct to 2 significant figures.

2. For the waveforms shown below, determine for each (i) the frequency (ii) the average value
over half a cycle (iii) the r.m.s. value (iv) the form factor (v) the peak factor.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

1
1

3
(a) (i) T = 10 ms, hence, frequency, f = T 10 10 = 100 Hz
1
5 103 5
area under curve 2

length
of
base
5 103
(ii) Average value =
= 2.50 A

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(iii) R.m.s. value =

i12 i 2 2 i32 i 4 2 i52

0.52 1.52 2.52 3.52 4.52

= 2.87 A

r.m.s.
2.87

(iv) Form factor = average 2.50 = 1.15

max imum value
5

r.m.s.
2.87 = 1.74
(v) Peak factor =
1
1

3
(b) (i) T = 4 ms, hence, frequency, f = T 4 10 = 250 Hz
area under curve 20 2

length
of
base
2 = 20 V
(ii) Average value =

(iii) R.m.s. value =

v12 v 2 2 v3 2 v 4 2

202 202 202 202

= 20 V

r.m.s.
20

(iv) Form factor = average 20 = 1.0

max imum value 20

r.m.s.
20 = 1.0
(v) Peak factor =
1
1

3
(c) (i) T = 8 ms, hence, frequency, f = T 8 10 = 125 Hz
1

1 24 2 24
1 24

area under curve 2

72
2

4
4 = 18 A
(ii) Average value = length of base

(iii) R.m.s. value =

i12 i 2 2 i32 i 4 2 ....

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32 9 2 152 212 242 242 242 242

= 19.56 A

r.m.s. 19.56

18 = 1.09
(iv) Form factor = average
max imum value
24

r.m.s.
19.56 = 1.23
(v) Peak factor =
1
1

3
(d) (i) T = 4 ms, hence, frequency, f = T 4 10 = 250 Hz
area under curve 0.5 100

length
of
base
2
(ii) Average value =
= 25 V

(iii) R.m.s. value =

v12 v 2 2 v3 2 v 4 2

02 02 100 2 0 2

= 50 V

r.m.s.
50

(iv) Form factor = average 25 = 2.0

max imum value 100

r.m.s.
50 = 2.0
(v) Peak factor =
3. An alternating voltage is triangular in shape, rising at a constant rate to a maximum of 300 V in 8 ms and
then falling to zero at a constant rate in 4 ms. The negative half cycle is identical in shape to the positive half
cycle. Calculate (a) the mean voltage over half a cycle, and (b) the r.m.s. voltage
The voltage waveform is shown below.

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1
1
8 103 300 4 103 300
area under curve 2
2

3
length
of
base
12

10
(a) Average value =
= 150 V

(b) R.m.s. value =

v12 v 2 2 v32 v 4 2 v5 2 v 6 2

37.52 112.52 187.52 262.52 2252 752

= 170 V

4. An alternating e.m.f. varies with time over half a cycle as follows:

E.m.f. (V)

45

80

155

215

320

210

95

time (ms)

1.5

3.0

4.5

6.0

7.5

9.0

10.5

12.0

The negative half cycle is identical in shape to the positive half cycle. Plot the waveform and determine
(a) the periodic time and frequency (b) the instantaneous value of voltage at 3.75 ms (c) the times when the
voltage is 125 V (d) the mean value, and (e) the r.m.s. value
The waveform is shown plotted below.

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(a) Half the waveform is shown, hence periodic time, T = 2 12.0 ms = 24 ms

1
1

3
Frequency, f = T 24 10 = 41.67 Hz
(b) The instantaneous value of voltage at 3.75 ms = 115 V
(c) The times when the voltage is 125 V = 4 ms and 10.0 ms
area under curve
(d) Mean value = length of base

Using the mid-ordinate rule with 12 intervals,

110 15 45 68 100 145 190 250 320 260 160 95 25

3

area under curve =

110 1673 1.673

3

1.673
3
Hence, mean value = 12 10 = 139 V

(e) R.m.s. value =

152 452 682 100 2 1452 1902 250 2 3202 260 2 1602 952 252

12

341749
12
= 169 V
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5. Calculate the r.m.s. value of a sinusoidal curve of maximum value 300 V.

R.m.s. value = 0.707 peak value = 0.707 300 = 212.1 V
6. Find the peak and mean values for a 200 V mains supply.
200 V is the r.m.s. value

r.m.s.
200

r.m.s. value = 0.707 peak value, from which, peak value = 0.707 0.707 = 282.9 V
Mean value = 0.637 peak value = 0.637 282.9 = 180.2 V
7. Plot a sine wave of peak value 10.0 A. Show that the average value of the waveform is 6.37 A over half a
cycle, and that the r.m.s. value is 7.07 A
A sine wave of maximum value 10.0 A is shown below.

area under curve

Over half a cycle, mean value = length of base

Using the mid-ordinate rule with 12 intervals,

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1.3 3.8 6.1 7.9 9.2 9.9 9.9 9.2 7.9 6.1 3.8 1.3
area under curve = 6

76.4
= 12
= 20.0

20.0
Hence, mean value = = 6.37 A

R.m.s. value =

1.32 3.82 6.12 7.92 9.2 2 9.92 9.9 2 9.22 7.9 2 6.12 3.82 1.32

12

596.8
12 = 7.05 A

With a larger scale and taking values to greater than 1 decimal place, it may be shown that the r.m.s. value is
7.07 A
8. A sinusoidal voltage has a maximum value of 120 V. Calculate its r.m.s. and average values.
R.m.s. value = 0.707 peak value = 0.707 120 = 84.8 V
Average value = 0.637 peak value = 0.637 120 = 76.4 V
9. A sinusoidal current has a mean value of 15.0 A. Determine its maximum and r.m.s. values.
Mean value = 0.637 maximum value,

mean value 15.0

0.637
0.637 = 23.55 A
from which, maximum value =
R.m.s. value = 0.707 maximum value = 0.707 23.55 = 16.65 A

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Exercise 79, Page 224

1. An alternating voltage is represented by v = 20 sin 157.1t volts. Find (a) the maximum value
(b) the frequency (c) the periodic time. (d) What is the angular velocity of the phasor
representing this waveform?
(a) Maximum value = 20 V

157.1
(b) 157.1 = = 2f, from which, frequency, f = 2 = 25 Hz
1 1

(c) Periodic time, T = f 25 = 0.04 s or 40 ms

(d) Angular velocity = 157.1 rad/s
2. Find the peak value, the r.m.s. value, the frequency, the periodic time and the phase angle (in
degrees and minutes) of the following alternating quantities:
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(a) v = 90 sin 400t volts (b) i = 50 sin(100t + 0.30) amperes

(c) e = 200 sin(628.4t 0.41) volts
(a) Peak value = 90 V
R.m.s. value = 0.707 peak value = 0.707 90 = 63.63 V

400
400 = = 2f, from which, frequency, f = 2 = 200 Hz
1
1

Periodic time, T = f 200 = 5 ms

Phase angle = 0
(b) Peak value = 50 A
R.m.s. value = 0.707 peak value = 0.707 50 = 35.35 A

100
100 = = 2f, from which, frequency, f = 2 = 50 Hz
1 1

Periodic time, T = f 50 = 0.02 s or 20 ms

Phase angle = 0.30 radians =

0.3

180
= 17.19 leading

(c) Peak value = 200 V

R.m.s. value = 0.707 peak value = 0.707 200 = 141.4 V

628.4
628.4 = = 2f, from which, frequency, f = 2 = 100 Hz
1
1

Periodic time, T = f 100 = 0.01 s or 10 ms

Phase angle = 0.41 radians =

0.41

180
= 23.49 lagging

3. A sinusoidal current has a peak value of 30 A and a frequency of 60 Hz. At time t = 0, the
current is zero. Express the instantaneous current i in the form i =

I m sin t

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i = 30

sin 2(60)t

If t = 0 when i = 0, thus

0 = 30 sin

i.e. 0 = sin
1
= sin 0 0

from which,
Hence,

i = 30 sin 120t A

4. An alternating voltage v has a periodic time of 20 ms and a maximum value of 200 V. When time t = 0,
v = - 75 volts. Deduce a sinusoidal expression for v and sketch one cycle of the voltage showing important
points.

1
1

3
Frequency, f = T 20 10 = 50 Hz
Hence, v = 200

sin 2(50)t

If t = 0 when v = - 75, thus

sin 100t

- 75 = 200 sin

from which,
Hence,

= 200

75

200 = - 0.384

sin 1

v = 200 sin(100t 0.384) volts

5. The voltage in an alternating current circuit at any time t seconds is given by v = 60 sin 40t volts. Find the
first time when the voltage is (a) 20 V (b) - 30 V
Voltage, v = 60 sin 40t volts
(a) When v = 20 V, 20 = 60 sin 40t

from which,

20
20
sin 1
sin 40t
60 = 0.3398
60
and 40t =

0.3398
8.496 103 s
Hence, time, t = 40
= 8.496 ms
(b) When v = - 30 V, - 30 = 60 sin 40t

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from which,

30
30
sin 1
sin 40t
60
60
and 40t =

Sine is negative in the 3rd and 4th quadrants as shown in the diagram.

30

60 = 0.5236 rad and the first time this occurs is in the 3rd quadrant. Measuring from zero, the

sin 1

angle is + 0.5236 = 3.6652 rad

3.6652
0.09163s
Hence, time, t = 40
= 91.63 ms

6. The instantaneous value of voltage in an a.c. circuit at an time t seconds is given by

v = 100 sin(50t 0.523) V. Find:
(a) the peak-to-peak voltage, the frequency, the periodic time and the phase angle
(b) the voltage when t = 0
(c) the voltage when t = 8 ms
(d) the times in the first cycle when the voltage is 60 V
(e) the times in the first cycle when the voltage is 40 V, and
(f) the first time when the voltage is a maximum.
Sketch the curve for one cycle showing relevant points

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(a) Peak to peak voltage = 2 maximum value = 2 100 = 200 V

50
50 = = 2f, from which, frequency, f = 2 = 25 Hz
1 1

Periodic time, T = f 25 = 0.04 s or 40 ms

Phase angle = 0.523 rad lagging =

0.523

180
= 29.97 lagging or 2958 lagging

(b) When t = 0, v = 100 sin[50(0) 0.523] = - 49.95 V

3

(c) When t = 8 ms, v = 100 sin[50( 8 10 ) 0.523]

= 100 sin 0.7336 = 66.96 V
(d) When v = 60 V,

60 = 100 sin[50t 0.523]

60
100 = sin[50t 0.523]

from which,
i.e.

1
50t 0.523 = sin 0.60 = 0.6435 or - 0.6435 (sine is positive in the 1st

and 2nd quadrants, as shown)

Hence,

50t = 0.6435 + 0.523

or

50t = - 0.6435 + 0.523 and t =

(e) When v = -40 V,

from which,

and t =

0.6435 0.523
50

= 7.426 ms

0.6435 0.523
50

= 19.23 ms

-40 = 100 sin[50t 0.523]

40
100 = sin[50t 0.523]
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i.e.

1
50t 0.523 = sin (0.40) = + 0.4115 or 2 - 0.4115 (sine is negative in the

3rd and 4th quadrants, as shown)

Hence,

0.4115 0.523
50
50t = + 0.4115 + 0.523 and t =
= 25.95 ms

or

2 0.4115 0.523
50
50t = 2 - 0.4115 + 0.523 and t =
= 40.71 ms

(f) The first time when the voltage is a maximum is when v = 100 V
i.e.
i.e.
i.e.

from which,

100 = 100 sin[50t 0.523]

1 = sin[50t 0.523]
1
50t 0.523 = sin 1 1.5708

1.5708 0.523
50
t=
= 13.33 ms

A sketch of v = 100 sin[50t 0.523] is shown below.

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Exercise 80, Page 227

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1. The instantaneous values of two alternating voltages are given by

v1 5sin t

and

v 2 8sin t
6 . By plotting v1 and v 2 on the same axes, using the same scale, over one

cycle, obtain expressions for (a)

v1

(a) From the sketched graphs above,

v2

(b)

v1 v 2
-

v1 v 2 12.6sin t 0.32

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(b) From the sketched graphs above,

v1 v 2 4.4sin t 2

2. Repeat Problem 1 by calculation.

v1

(a) The relative positions of

and

v2

at time t = 0 are shown as phasors in diagram (i).

(i)

(ii)

The phasor diagram is shown in diagram (ii). Using the cosine rule,

ac
from which,

52 82 2 5 8 cos150

ac = 12.58

8
12.58

sin sin150

Using the sine rule,

from which,

sin

8sin150
0.317965
12.58

sin 1 0.317965 18.54 or 0.324 radians

and

v1 v 2 12.58sin t 0.324

Hence,

(b) The relative positions of

v1

and

v2

at time t = 0 are shown as phasors in diagram (iii).

(iii)

(iv)

The phasor diagram is shown in diagram (iv). Using the cosine rule,

ac
from which,

52 82 2 5 8 cos 30

ac = 4.44
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8
4.44

sin sin 30

Using the sine rule,

from which,

sin

8sin 30
0.90090
4.44

sin 1 0.90090 64.28 or 180 64.28 115.72

and

From the phasor diagram, = 115.72 or 2.02 radians

v1 v 2 4.44sin t 2.02

Hence,

3. Construct a phasor diagram to represent i1 + i2 where i1 = 12 sin t and i2 = 15 sin(t + /3). By

measurement, or by calculation, find a sinusoidal expression to represent i1 + i2
The phasor diagram is shown below.

By drawing the diagram to scale and measuring, i R = 23.5 and = 34 or 0.59 rad
By calculation, using the cosine rule,

iR
iR

from which,

Using the sine rule,

and
Hence,

122 152 2 12 15 cos120

= 23.43

15
23.43

sin sin120

from which,

sin

15sin120
0.55443
23.43

sin 1 0.55443 33.67 or 0.588 rad

i1 i 2 23.43sin t 0.588

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4. Determine, either by plotting graphs and adding ordinates at intervals, or by calculation, the
following periodic function in the form v Vm sin(t )

10sin t 4sin t
4

The following is determined by calculation.

The relative positions of

v1

and

v2

at time t = 0 are shown as phasors in diagram (i).

(i)

(ii)

The phasor diagram is shown in diagram (ii). Using the cosine rule,

ac
from which,

Hence,

102 42 2 10 4 cos135

ac = 13.14

Using the sine rule,

and

4
13.14

sin sin135

from which,

sin

4sin135
0.2153
13.14

sin 1 0.2153 12.43 or 0.217 rad

10sin t 4sin t 13.14sin t 0.217

4

5. Determine, either by plotting graphs and adding ordinates at intervals, or by calculation, the
following periodic function in the form

v Vm sin(t )

80sin t 50sin t
3

The following is determined by calculation.

The relative positions of v1 and v 2 at time t = 0 are shown as phasors in diagram (iii).
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(iii)

(iv)

The phasor diagram is shown in diagram (iv). Since abc is a right angled triangle, Pythagoras
theorem is used.
ac 50 2 802 94.34

and

50
32
80

tan 1

Hence, in diagram (iv), = 60 - 32 = 28 or 0.489 rad.

Thus,

80sin t

50sin t 94.34sin t 0.489

6. Determine, either by plotting graphs and adding ordinates at intervals, or by calculation, the
following periodic function in the form v Vm sin(t )

100sin t 70sin t
3

The following is determined by calculation.

The relative positions of

v1

and

v2

at time t = 0 are shown as phasors in diagram (v). Since the

waveform of maximum value 70 is being subtracted it phasor is reversed as shown.

The phasor diagram is shown in diagram (vii).

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(v)

(vi)

Using the cosine rule,

ac
from which,

Hence,

1002 702 2 100 70 cos 60

ac = 88.88

Using the sine rule,

and

88.88
70

sin 60 sin

from which,

sin

70sin 60
0.68206
88.88

sin 1 0.68206 43 or 0.751rad

100sin t 70sin t 88.88sin t 0.751

3

7. The voltage drops across two components when connected in series across an a.c. supply are
v1 = 150 sin 314.2t and v2 = 90 sin (314.2t - /5) volts respectively. Determine (a) the voltage
of the supply, in trigonometric form, (b) the r.m.s. value of the supply voltage, and (c) the
frequency of the supply.
Cosine and sine rules or horizontal and vertical components could be used to solve this problem;
however, an alternative is to use complex numbers, as shown below.

314.2t / 5
(a) Supply voltage, v = v1 v 2 = 150 sin 314.2t + 90 sin
= 1500 90 36
= (150 + j0) + (72.81 j52.90)
= 222.81 j52.90
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= 229 13.36 229 0.233 rad

= 229 sin(314.2t 0.233) V
(b) R.m.s value of supply = 0.707 229 = 161.9 V

314.2
(c) = 314.2 = 2f from which, frequency, f = 2 = 50 Hz
8. If the supply to a circuit is 25 sin 628.3t volts and the voltage drop across one of the components
is 18 sin (628.3t - 0.52) volts, calculate (a) the voltage drop across the remainder of the circuit,
(b) the supply frequency, and (c) the periodic time of the supply.

(a) Voltage,

v 2 v v1 25sin 628.3t 18sin(628.4t 0.52)

= 250 18 0.52 rad using complex numbers
= (25 + j0) (15.621 j8.944)
= 9.379 + j8.944
= 12.960.76 rad
= 12.96 sin(628.3t + 0.762) V

628.3
(b) = 628.3 = 2f from which, supply frequency, f = 2 = 100 Hz
1
1

(c) Periodic time, T = f 100 = 0.01 s or 10 ms

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9. The voltages across three components in a series circuit when connected across an a.c. supply

are:

v1 30 sin 300t
6 volts,

v 2 40sin 300t
4 volts and

v3 50sin 300t
3 volts.

Calculate (a) the supply voltage, in sinusoidal form, (b) the frequency of the supply, (c) the
periodic time, and (d) the r.m.s. value of the supply.

v1 v 2 v3 30sin 300t 40sin 300t 50sin 300t
6

3
(a) Supply voltage, v =

= 30 30 4045 5060 using complex numbers

= 79.265 + j56.586
= 97.3935.52 V or
=

97.390.620 V

97.39sin 300t 0.620

300
(b) = 300 = 2f from which, supply frequency, f = 2 = 150 Hz
1
1

(c) Periodic time, T = f 150 = 0.0667 s or 6.67 ms

(d) R.m.s value of supply = 0.707 97.39 = 68.85 V

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