Alternating Current

JEE Main level, single correct, medium

54 of 190

Question 54 of 190

An a.c. source of angular frequency ω\omega is connected across a resistor RR and a capacitor CC in series. The current is observed as II. Now the frequency of the source is changed to ω/4\omega/4, (keeping the voltage unchanged) the current is found to be I/3I/3. The ratio of resistance to reactance at frequency ω\omega is

Show answer and solution

Answer: (C) 78\sqrt{\dfrac{7}{8}}

The current in the RC circuit at frequency ω\omega is given by

I=VR2+XC2I = \dfrac{V}{\sqrt{R^2 + X_C^2}}

where
XC=1ωCX_C = \dfrac{1}{\omega C} is the capacitive reactance.

When the frequency is changed to
ω/4\omega/4, the new reactance becomes XC′=1(ω/4)C=4XCX_C' = \dfrac{1}{(\omega/4)C} = 4X_C.

The new current is given as
I/3I/3, so

I3=VR2+(4XC)2\dfrac{I}{3} = \dfrac{V}{\sqrt{R^2 + (4X_C)^2}}

Substituting the expression for
II, we get

V3R2+XC2=VR2+16XC2\dfrac{V}{3\sqrt{R^2 + X_C^2}} = \dfrac{V}{\sqrt{R^2 + 16X_C^2}}

Squaring both sides, we obtain


19(R2+XC2)=1R2+16XC2\dfrac{1}{9(R^2 + X_C^2)} = \dfrac{1}{R^2 + 16X_C^2}

9R2+9XC2=R2+16XC29R^2 + 9X_C^2 = R^2 + 16X_C^2

8R2=7XC28R^2 = 7X_C^2

R2XC2=78\dfrac{R^2}{X_C^2} = \dfrac{7}{8}

RXC=78\dfrac{R}{X_C} = \sqrt{\dfrac{7}{8}}

Answer:
78\sqrt{\dfrac{7}{8}}

JEE Main question paper PDF

Open a shift to read the full paper on this page, or download it.

JEE Main 2025 Apr 2 Shift 1 question paper

Open Download PDF

Opening paper…

Explain it as a whiteboard videoStep-by-step, in Hinglish or English. Your first video needs no login.Solved it on paper but got it wrong?Upload a photo of your working. Mistake Doctor marks the exact line that broke.
See it move: AC circuits, phasors and resonance simulationDrag the sliders and watch the numbers in this question change.

More Physics practice

JEE Main Physics practice question on Alternating Current (AC Circuits), with the answer and a step-by-step solution. Scan a question from your own book or paper to get a whiteboard video.