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Representation of AC Current and Voltage by Rotating Vectors - Phasors

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Estimated time: 7 minutes
CBSE: Class 12

Introduction

In an AC circuit with a pure resistor, the current is in phase with the applied AC voltage.

However, this in-phase relationship does not hold for:

  • A pure inductor
  • A pure capacitor
  • Any combination of these elements

To handle these phase differences systematically, we use phasors — rotating vector representations of AC quantities.

CBSE: Class 12

Definition: Phasor

A phasor is a rotating vector about the origin with a constant angular speed ω\omegaω. Its vertical component at any instant gives the instantaneous sinusoidally varying value of the AC quantity (voltage v or current i) it represents.

CBSE: Class 12

Key Properties of Phasors

  • The magnitude (length) of the phasor = peak value of the AC quantity (vm for voltage, im for current)
  • The phasor rotates about the origin at angular velocity ω
  • The vertical component of the phasor at any instant = the instantaneous value of the quantity
CBSE: Class 12

Phasor Representation of AC Voltage and Current

Quantity Phasor Length (Magnitude) Vertical Component (Instantaneous Value)
Voltage \[v_m\] (peak voltage) \[v = v_m \sin(\omega t)\]
Current \[i_m\] (peak current) \[i = i_m \sin(\omega t)\]

Both phasors rotate about the origin with the same angular speed ω.

CBSE: Class 12

AC Circuit with a Pure Resistor

Phase Relationship

Key Result: For a pure resistor, the voltage and current phasors are always in the same direction. The phase angle between them is zero (0°).

This means:

  • Current and voltage are in phase
  • Both reach their peak, zero, and minimum at the same instant
  • The voltage and current phasors coincide on the phasor diagram

CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Phasors

  • A phasor is a rotating vector about the origin with angular speed ω.
  • Its vertical component gives the instantaneous value of v or i.
  • The length of the phasor equals the peak value (vm or im​).
  • For a pure resistor: current and voltage are in phase — phasors point in the same direction, phase angle = 0°.
  • For inductors, capacitors, or combinations: the current is NOT in phase with voltage — phasors differ in direction.
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