GCE A-Level Physics Syllabus
Chapter 18: Alternating Current
Chapter Topics:
Characteristics of alternating currents
Transformers
Rectification with a diode
Question Bank:
Learning Objectives:
(a) Show an understanding of and use the terms period, frequency, peak value and root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value as applied to an alternating current or voltage.
(b) Deduce that the mean power in a resistive load is half the maximum (peak) power for a sinusoidal alternating current.
(c) Represent an alternating current or an alternating voltage by an equation of the form x = x₀ sin ωt
(d) Distinguish between r.m.s. and peak values and recall and solve problems using the relationship Iᵣₘₛ = Iₒ/√2 for the sinusoidal case.
(e) Show an understanding of the principle of operation of a simple iron-core transformer and recall and solve problems using Nₛ / Nₚ = Vₛ /Vₚ = Iₚ / Iₛ for an ideal transformer.
(f) Explain the use of a single diode for the half-wave rectification of an alternating current.