MCQEasyJEE 2025Alternating Current Basics

JEE Physics 2025 Question with Solution

An AC current is represented as: i=52+10cos(650πt+π6)Ampi = 5\sqrt{2} + 10 \cos\left(650\pi t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right)\, \text{Amp} The RMS value of the current is:

  • A

    50Amp50\, \text{Amp}

  • B

    100Amp100\, \text{Amp}

  • C

    10Amp10\, \text{Amp}

  • D

    52Amp5\sqrt{2}\, \text{Amp}

Answer

Correct answer:C

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: i=52+10cos(650πt+π6)i = 5\sqrt{2} + 10 \cos\left(650\pi t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right)

Find: The RMS value of the current.

The current has two parts:

  • a DC component, IDC=52AmpI_{\text{DC}} = 5\sqrt{2}\, \text{Amp}
  • an AC component, iAC(t)=10cos(650πt+π6)Ampi_{\text{AC}}(t) = 10\cos\left(650\pi t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right)\, \text{Amp}

For a sinusoidal current with peak value IpeakI_{\text{peak}}, the RMS value is

IAC,rms=Ipeak2I_{\text{AC,rms}} = \frac{I_{\text{peak}}}{\sqrt{2}}

So,

IAC,rms=102=52AmpI_{\text{AC,rms}} = \frac{10}{\sqrt{2}} = 5\sqrt{2}\, \text{Amp}

When DC and AC components are both present, the total RMS value is

Irms=IDC2+IAC,rms2I_{\text{rms}} = \sqrt{I_{\text{DC}}^2 + I_{\text{AC,rms}}^2}

Substituting the values,

Irms=(52)2+(52)2I_{\text{rms}} = \sqrt{(5\sqrt{2})^2 + (5\sqrt{2})^2} Irms=50+50I_{\text{rms}} = \sqrt{50 + 50} Irms=100I_{\text{rms}} = \sqrt{100} Irms=10AmpI_{\text{rms}} = 10\, \text{Amp}

Verification:

  • (52)2=50(5\sqrt{2})^2 = 50
  • The sum of squares is 100100
  • Therefore, 100=10\sqrt{100} = 10

Therefore, the correct option is C and the RMS value is 10Amp10\, \text{Amp}.

Using Mean Square Form

Given: i=52+10cos(650πt+π6)i = 5\sqrt{2} + 10 \cos\left(650\pi t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right)

Find: The RMS value of the current.

Start from the definition through squaring the current:

i2=(52+10cos(650πt+π6))2i^2 = \left(5\sqrt{2} + 10\cos\left(650\pi t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right)\right)^2

Expanding,

i2=50+100cos2(650πt+π6)+(2)(52)(10)cos(650πt+π6)i^2 = 50 + 100\cos^2\left(650\pi t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right) + (2)(5\sqrt{2})(10)\cos\left(650\pi t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right)

Over a complete cycle, the average value of cos(650πt+π6)\cos\left(650\pi t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right) is 00 and the average value of cos2(650πt+π6)\cos^2\left(650\pi t + \frac{\pi}{6}\right) is 12\frac{1}{2}. Hence,

i2=50+100(12)+0\langle i^2 \rangle = 50 + 100\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) + 0 i2=100\langle i^2 \rangle = 100

Therefore,

Irms=i2=100=10AmpI_{\text{rms}} = \sqrt{\langle i^2 \rangle} = \sqrt{100} = 10\, \text{Amp}

Therefore, the correct option is C.

Note: the provided alternate solution states an inequality in one intermediate line, but the cycle-average method gives the exact RMS value 10Amp10\, \text{Amp}.

Common mistakes

  • Ignoring the DC component. This is wrong because the constant term also contributes to the RMS value. Instead, include the DC part and combine it with the AC RMS value through the sum of squares.

  • Using the peak AC value directly as RMS. This is wrong because for a sinusoidal term Ipeakcos(ωt+ϕ)I_{\text{peak}}\cos(\omega t + \phi), the RMS value is Ipeak2\frac{I_{\text{peak}}}{\sqrt{2}}. First convert the AC peak value to RMS.

  • Adding the DC value and AC RMS value directly. This is wrong because RMS values of independent DC and AC parts combine as squares. Use Irms=IDC2+IAC,rms2I_{\text{rms}} = \sqrt{I_{\text{DC}}^2 + I_{\text{AC,rms}}^2} instead.

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