The same current is flowing in two AC circuits. The first circuit contains a pure inductor and the second, a capacitor. If the frequency of the AC is increased, then the current will.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → decrease in the first and increase in the second
The current in each circuit is \( I = V/X \), where \( X \) is the reactance. The two reactances change with frequency in opposite ways:
\( \displaystyle X_L = 2\pi\nu L \qquad X_C = \frac{1}{2\pi\nu C} \)
When \( \nu \) increases, the inductive reactance \( X_L \) increases, so the current in the inductor circuit decreases. The capacitive reactance \( X_C \) decreases, so the current in the capacitor circuit increases.
NCERT (2026-27):
AC Voltage Applied to an Inductor – “… The inductive reactance limits the current in a purely inductive circuit in the same way as the resistance limits the current in a purely resistive circuit. The inductive reactance is directly proportional to the inductance and to the frequency of the current.”
AC Voltage Applied to a Capacitor – “… The capacitive reactance limits the amplitude of the current in a purely capacitive circuit in the same way as the resistance limits the current in a purely resistive circuit. But it is inversely proportional to the frequency and the capacitance.”