How Does Current Behave Over Time in AC Circuits?

[Benjamin_harsh]

Homework Statement

Current Vs Time in AC Current.

Relevant Equations

Current Vs Time in AC Current.

I always find voltage vs time majorly in case of AC current. What about current V time in AC current cases?

 

[jbriggs444]

One can plot current versus time, certainly.

For a purely resistive load (an AC power source driving current through a resistor), how does current relate to voltage?

 

[Benjamin_harsh]

One can plot current versus time, certainly.

For a purely resistive load (an AC power source driving current through a resistor), how does current relate to voltage?

So how current stays same while voltage repeatedly fluctuates in AC current?

 

[jbriggs444]

So how current stays same while voltage repeatedly fluctuates in AC current?

Current does not stay the same in this situation.

If you are measuring a fluctuating voltage, you should be working to measure a fluctuating current.

If you are measuring an average (for instance, a root mean square average) voltage then you should be working to measure an average (for instance, a root mean square average) current.

Note that multiplying RMS voltage by RMS current is not guaranteed to yield RMS power. Hence the notion of a power factor. [That was a serious learning moment when I first encountered that -- those power engineering dudes face interesting challenges. Some of them hang out here]