In an AC circuit with only a resistor, what is the value of the power factor?
**AC through resistor** voltage and current in phase, φ=0°, I = V/R instantaneously, I(t)=I_peak sin ωt, V(t)=V_peak sin ωt, phasor diagram V and I same direction, power instantaneous P = V I = V_peak I_peak sin² ωt, average P_avg = V_rms I_rms = V_rms²/R, always positive, energy dissipated as heat. In a purely resistive AC circuit, the voltage and current are in phase (phase angle Φ = 0° ). The power factor is defined as cos Φ , so cos 0° = 1 , indicating maximum power transfer. Applying X_L = ωL, X_C = 1/ωC, Z = √(R² + (X_L - X_C)²), I_rms = V_rms/Z,
Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Alternating Currents > AC Through Resistor - Phasor and Power