Emf applied and current in an A.C circuit are E=102sin(ωt) volt and I=52cos(ωt) ampere respectively. Average power loss in the circuit is??

1 Answer
Aug 9, 2017

The average power loss is zero.

Explanation:

The instantaneous power loss is, of course

P=EI=100sin(ωt)cos(ωt)

To find the average power loss, you must integrate this over one complete period

Pav=1TT0100sin(ωt)cos(ωt)dt

where T=2πω is one time period. It is easy to see that this integral vanishes

T0100sin(ωt)cos(ωt)dt
=50T0sin(2ωt)dt
=502ω(cos(2ωT)cos0)
=502ω(cos(4π)cos0)=0

Note that this is a case where the emf lags 90 degrees behind the current, as happens for a capacitor. This is an example of so called "wattles current".