If a capacitor is connected to an AC source, how does the current behave?
Correct Answer: Current leads voltage by 90 degrees.
- Step 1: Understand what a capacitor is. A capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy in an electric field.
- Step 2: Know what AC (Alternating Current) means. AC is a type of electrical current that changes direction periodically.
- Step 3: When a capacitor is connected to an AC source, the voltage across the capacitor changes over time.
- Step 4: The current flowing through the capacitor does not change at the same time as the voltage. Instead, it changes earlier.
- Step 5: This means that the current reaches its maximum value before the voltage does. This is called 'leading'.
- Step 6: In terms of angles, we say that the current leads the voltage by 90 degrees in an AC circuit with a capacitor.
- Capacitive Reactance – In an AC circuit, capacitors oppose changes in voltage, causing the current to lead the voltage by 90 degrees.
- Phase Relationship – Understanding the phase difference between current and voltage in capacitive circuits is crucial for analyzing AC behavior.
