Physics Topic: Alternating Current

  1. Show an understanding and use the terms period, frequency, peak value and root-mean-square value as applied to an alternating current or voltage.

  2. Deduce that the mean power in a resistive load is half the maximum power for a sinusoidal alternating current.

  3. Represent an alternating current or an alternating voltage by an equation of the form x = xo sin wt.

  4. Distinguish between r.m.s. and peak values and recall and solve problems using the relationship Irms = Io / sqrt(2) for the sinusoidal case.

  5. Show an understanding of the principle of operation of a simple iron-cored transformer and recall and solve problems using Ns / Np = Vs / Vp = Ip / Is for an ideal transformer.

  6. Explain the use of a single diode for the half-wave rectification of an alternating current.