Explore the AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor
Change frequency and components and see voltage, current, phase and impedance in an AC circuit. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor?
Change frequency and components and see voltage, current, phase and impedance in an AC circuit. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Radios, filters, power grids and phone chargers all use AC circuit behaviour.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
In a resistor, current and voltage are in phase.
In a capacitor the current leads the voltage by 90°.
In an inductor the current lags by 90°.
Compare a capacitor at 20 Hz and 400 Hz.
Try the inductor.
Choose series RLC and find resonance.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Physics learners
Physics students in middle school, high school and first-year university, teachers who want a quick demonstration for the projector, and anyone revising for exams.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Try the inductor. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What is reactance?
The opposition of a capacitor or inductor to alternating current: X_C = 1/(ωC), X_L = ωL.
What is a phasor?
A rotating arrow that represents a sine wave's size and phase.
Is the AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor free to use?
Yes. The AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Physics group of AZRS simulations.
Does the AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 6 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor?
1. In the AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor, use the controls to change Component, Frequency, Voltage amplitude, Resistance, Capacitance, and more. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor, pick an option such as Resistor, Capacitor, Inductor, Series RLC to switch modes or load an example. 3. Start with this experiment: Compare a capacitor at 20 Hz and 400 Hz. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the AC Circuits: Resistor, Capacitor & Inductor responds in real time. 4. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: In a resistor, current and voltage are in phase.
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Change frequency and components and see voltage, current, phase and impedance in an AC. Free to use.
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