Class 12 Physics simulations · Alternating Current

RMS and average values of waveforms

Compare sine, square and triangle waves of the same peak. The rms value sets the heating effect.

Open the simulation

What to notice

A DC supply equal to the rms value heats a resistor exactly as much as the AC does.

Key relation

Sine: V₀/√2 ; Square: V₀ ; Triangle: V₀/√3

Try this

Switch waveforms at the same peak. Which lamp is brightest?

What you can change

• Waveform: choose Sine, Square, Triangle
• Peak voltage V₀: 1 to 325 V
• Lamp resistance: 100 to 1000 Ω

More in Alternating Current

• AC generator
• AC power and phase lag
• Energy exchange in an LC circuit
• LR circuit: phasors and phase lag
• Reactance versus frequency
• Series RLC resonance
• Ideal transformer

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