PhET-Simulations-for-Physics/C3/Simple-AC-Circuits/English
Title of the Tutorial: Simple AC Circuits
Author: Dr. Jagdish Kaur and Muskaandeep Kaur
Keywords: PhET, AC voltage, resistor, capacitor, inductor, capacitive reactance, inductive reactance, video tutorial.
Visual Cue | Narration |
Slide Number 1
Title Slide |
Welcome to this Spoken tutorial on Simple AC Circuits |
Slide Number 2
Learning Objectives |
In this tutorial we will learn to,
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Slide Number 3
System Requirements |
This tutorial is recorded using,
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Slide Number 4
Pre-requisites |
To follow this tutorial,Learners should be familiar with topics in
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Slide Number 5
Alternating Current |
Now let’s define alternating current,
Magnitude of AC current changes continuously with time, and its direction reverses periodically. |
Slide Number 6
Alternating Current |
Alternating Current can be represented by Sine or Cosine curve.
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Slide Number 7
Capacitive Reactance |
Capacitive reactance (XC).
Unit of XC is ohm. |
Slide Number 8
Inductive Reactance |
Inductive reactance (XL)
It is the opposition offered by an inductor to the change in current. It varies directly with the frequency of the ac source. XL = 2πνL Unit of XL is ohm. |
Slide Number 9
Links for PhET simulations https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/circuit-construction-kit-ac-virtual-lab |
In this tutorial we will use Circuit Construction Kit AC: Virtual Lab PhET simulation.
Please use the given link to download the simulation. https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/circuit-construction-kit-ac-virtual-lab |
Point to the simulations in the Downloads folder.
Circuit Construction Kit AC: Virtual Lab |
I have already downloaded the simulation to my Downloads folder. |
Point to Circuit Construction Kit AC: Virtual Lab Simulation. | Let us begin. |
Right-click on Circuit Construction Kit AC: Virtual Lab Simulation_en.html file.
Select Open with Google Chrome option. Point to the browser address. |
To open the simulation, right-click on Circuit Construction Kit AC: Virtual Lab Simulation _en.html file.
Select the option Open with Google Chrome. The file opens in the browser. |
Point to the simulation interface. | This is the interface of Circuit construction Kit: AC Virtual Lab simulation. |
Point to the left side of Circuit elements | On the left side of the interface, we can see a list of circuit elements. |
Drag a Resistor.
Click on the Resistor Point to the value of resistance. |
Let’s add a resistor to the interface.
By default, Resistance of the resistor is 10 ohms. |
Drag an ammeter | Attach ammeter in series with the resistor by using wire. |
Drag a light bulb and wire. | Let’s attach a light bulb in series to the resistor using a connecting wire. |
Point on the AC Voltage source and attached it to the resistor | Other end of the resistor is connected to the AC Voltage source using a wire.
Here resistor is connected to AC Voltage source in parallel connection. |
Click on the AC Voltage | By default, AC voltage value is 9 V and its frequency is 0.50 Hz. |
Point on the switch and attached with the AC Voltage source. | Let’s drag a switch and attach it in series with the AC Voltage source. |
Drag wires and attached in the circuit.
Click on the Values check box on the right panel |
The circuit is completed by connecting wires in between switch and light bulb.
Click on the Values check box on the right, to display value of each component. |
Single click on the switch | Now, close the switch by clicking on it. |
Observe the intensity of light bulb | We observe that intensity of light bulb is varying due to AC voltage source. |
Only Narration | Now we will find the phase relation between voltage and current for a resistor. |
Click on the Pause button | Pause the simulation |
Drag Voltage Chart | Drag Voltage Chart and attach its terminals (probes) across the ends of the resistor. |
Drag Current chart | Drag Current Chart and place its terminal (probe) on the resistor. |
Click on Play button | Play the simulation. |
Point to the graphs in the charts. | It is observed that current and voltage peak at the same time.
This indicates that Voltage and current are in phase. |
Click on the Pause button | Pause the simulation |
Only Narration | Now, we will find the phase relation between voltage and current for a capacitor. |
Drag the probes of the voltage chart and current chart close to the charts. | Drag the probes of the voltage chart and current chart to their default positions. |
Point to the information box. | In the circuit click on resistor component.
In the resistance edit box click on the delete icon to delete the resistance. |
Drag a capacitor
Click on the capacitor |
Drag a capacitor from the circuit components.
Place the capacitor at the same position as the resistor. By default, capacitance of the capacitor is 0.10 F. |
Click on Play button | Now Play the simulation. |
Point to the capacitor | Observe the changing red and blue charges on the plates of capacitor.
These indicate the charging and discharging of the capacitor. |
Point to the light bulb | The intensity of light bulb is changing due to AC voltage source. |
Click on the AC Voltage source and Point to the frequency | Click on the AC Voltage source and note the frequency. |
Point to the values of capacitance and frequency on the interface. | Let us calculate Capacitive reactance using frequency and capacitance values. |
Slide Number 10
Capacitive reactance |
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Click on the pause button | Pause the simulation. |
Point to the voltage and current chart | Now, we will attach the probes of voltage chart and current chart to the capacitor. |
Click on the play radio button | Now play the simulation. |
Point to the graphs in the charts. | Observe the graphs in the charts, A phase change is noticed.
When a capacitor is connected in the circuit current leads voltage. |
Click on the pause button | Pause the simulation |
Now, we will find the phase relation between voltage and current for an Inductor. | |
Drag the probes of the voltage chart and current chart close to the charts. | Drag the probes of the voltage chart and current chart to their default positions. |
Point to the information box. | In the circuit click on capacitor component.
In the capacitor edit box click on the delete icon to delete the capacitor. |
Click on the inductor and drag in the interface | Now, drag an inductor from the given components.
Place the inductor at the same position as the capacitor. By default, inductance of the inductor is 5 H. |
Click on Play button | Now Play the simulation. |
Point to the values of inductance and frequency on the interface. | Let us calculate inductive reactance using frequency and inductance values. |
Slide Number 11
Inductive Reactance |
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Click on the pause button | Pause the simulation. |
Point to the voltage and current chart | Now, we will attach the probes of voltage chart and current chart to the inductor. |
Click on the play radio button | Now play the simulation. |
Point to the graphs in the charts. | Observe the graphs in the charts, a phase change is noticed.
When an inductor is connected in the circuit voltage leads current. |
Slide Number 12
Series AC Circuits |
Series AC Circuits
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Click on Refresh button | Clear the interface using refresh button. |
Point to the Resistor | Let’s make series RC circuit.
Drag a resistor |
Point to the Capacitor | Now, drag a capacitor and attach it in series with the resistor. |
Point to the ammeter | Drag an ammeter and attach it in series with the capacitor. |
Click on the AC Voltage | Other end of the resistor is connected to the AC Voltage source in parallel using a wire. |
Point on the switch and attached with the AC Voltage source. | Drag a switch and attach it in series with the AC Voltage source. |
Point to the wire | Close the circuit by attaching a wire between switch and ammeter |
Single click on the switch | Now, close the switch by clicking on it. Current starts flowing through the circuit. |
Click on the Pause button | Pause the simulation |
Drag Voltage Chart | Drag Voltage Chart and attach its terminals (probes) across the ends of the resistor and capacitor. |
Drag Current Chart | Drag Current chart and place its terminal on the ammeter. |
Click on the play radio button | Now play the simulation. |
Point to the graphs in the charts. | Observe the graphs in the charts.
No phase change is observed in the RC series circuit. |
Point to the values of Resistance, capacitance and frequency on the interface. | Let us calculate Impedance of RC circuit using frequency, resistance and capacitance values. |
Click on the Values check box on the right panel | Click on the Values check box on the right, to display value of each component. |
Slide Number 13
Impedance of RC circuit |
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Only Narration. | With this, we come to the end of this tutorial.
Let us summarise. |
Slide Number 14
Summary |
Using this simulation we
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Slide Number 15
Assignment |
As an assignment
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Slide Number 16
Spoken Tutorial Project |
The video at the following link summarises the Spoken Tutorial Project.
Please download and watch it. |
Slide Number 17
Spoken Tutorial workshops |
The Spoken Tutorial Project team, conducts workshops and gives certificates.
For more details, please write to us. |
Slide Number 18
Forum for specific questions: |
Please post your timed queries in this forum. |
Slide Number 19
Acknowledgement |
The Spoken Tutorial Project was established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. |
Slide Number 20
Thank You. |
This tutorial is contributed by Dr. Jagdish Kaur and Muskandeep Kaur from DAV College Amritsar.
Thank you for joining. |