Question

What is the frequency of alternative current in India?
${\text{A}}{\text{.}}$ 50 cycles/s
${\text{B}}{\text{.}}$ 100 cycles/s
${\text{C}}{\text{.}}$ 150 cycles/s
${\text{D}}{\text{.}}$ 200 cycles/s

Answer 1

Hint: Here, we will proceed by defining the term alternative current. Then, we will discuss the production of the alternative current. Then, we will mention applications of AC. Finally, we will write down the frequency of AC in India.

Step By Step Answer:
The current that changes its amplitude and polarity at regular intervals of time is called an alternating current. The major benefit of using alternating current rather than direct current is that the alternating current is easily converted from higher voltage to lower voltage.

AC is generated using a device called an alternator. It is equipped for producing alternating current. A loop of wire is spun inside a magnetic field, from which induced current flows down the wire. Here wires rotation can come from any means i.e. a steam turbine, flowing water, a wind turbine, etc. This is due to the wire spins and periodically entering different magnetic polarities, the current and voltage alternatives in the wire itself.

The various applications of alternative current in these days are

AC is used at home and at office outlets. It is easy to produce and transmit AC power over long distances. Less energy is lost in high voltage electric power transmission (> 110 KV). For higher voltages, lower currents are implied, and for lower currents, the power line produces less heat, which is naturally due to low resistance.

Many countries around the world use different standards when it comes to feeding residents electricity. The USA, for example, uses an alternative current of voltage as 110 V and frequency as 60 Hz, whereas India uses an alternative current of voltage of 230 V and current as 50 Hz.

There is no significant scientific or electrical explanation why in the USA, the frequency used is 60 Hz and why in India and some other parts of the world are using the frequency as 50 Hz.

That's just the way it was started and so it continues. Changing this system will cost a great deal.
Therefore, the frequency of alternative current in India is 50 Hertz (Hz) or 50 cycles per second (cycles/s).

Hence, option A is correct.

Note: Some other applications of alternative current are mentioned here. Transformers are used so that AC can be quickly converted from high voltage to low voltage, and vice versa. The electric motors are powered by AC. It is also useful for many large appliances, such as fridges, dishwashers, etc.