Physics Electronics PMDC Conceptual Practice
PMDC Verified Question 48 of 494
In a power supply filter, an inductor is connected in series with the load resistor to reduce ripple. Why does the inductor oppose AC ripple while passing DC smoothly?
A
An inductor has zero inductive reactance to DC (\(X_L = 0\)) and high reactance to AC ripple (\(X_L = 2\pi f L\))
B
An inductor has infinite reactance to DC and zero reactance to AC ripple
C
An inductor stores electrical energy in an electrostatic field between its plates
D
An inductor converts AC ripple energy directly into nuclear radiation
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option A: An inductor has zero inductive reactance to DC (\(X_L = 0\)) and high reactance to AC ripple (\(X_L = 2\pi f L\))
Concept:

The opposition of an inductor to alternating current is called inductive reactance (\(X_L = 2\pi f L\)). For steady direct current (\(f = 0\)), the reactance is zero, allowing DC to pass with minimal drop while presenting high impedance to high-frequency AC ripple.

Formula:

$$X_L = 2\pi f L$$

$$\text{For DC } (f = 0): X_L = 0; \quad \text{For AC Ripple } (f > 0): X_L = 2\pi f L > 0$$

Solution:

  • Direct current has frequency \(f = 0\text{ Hz}\), so \(X_L = 0\,\Omega\) (ideal inductor acts as a short circuit for DC).


  • AC ripple has frequency \(f = 50\text{ Hz}\) or \(100\text{ Hz}\), so \(X_L = 2\pi f L \gg 0\,\Omega\) (opposes AC fluctuation).


  • Therefore, a series inductor blocks AC ripple while permitting DC to flow freely to the load.


Why other options are incorrect:

  • Option B: Inverts the fundamental frequency response of an inductor.
  • Option C: Electrostatic storage describes a capacitor; an inductor stores energy in a magnetic field.
  • Option D: Inductors dissipate negligible energy in ideal cases and produce no nuclear radiation.

Quality & Fidelity Assurance: Every question on BeambePrep is rigorously curated against the official PMDC syllabus with zero filler, zero out-of-syllabus content, and zero typos. When an authentic past paper originally contained a historical mistake or ambiguity from the examining board (such as UHS or NUMS), BeambePrep faithfully reflects the original paper while detailing the nuance and scientific consensus in the autopsy above.

Want to solve full-length papers under timed exam conditions?

Practice with zero-scroll lockdown sprints, dynamic latency zone timers, live peer selection telemetry, and the automated Amber mistake recovery loop.