Max and min frequencies of a capacitor

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a variable capacitor used in conjunction with a coil to create a variable frequency LC circuit for tuning a radio. The original poster is attempting to determine the ratio of maximum and minimum frequencies achievable with the capacitor and to find the necessary capacitance of an additional capacitor to adjust the frequency range.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster uses the formula for angular frequency to compute the frequency ratio and questions how to determine the equivalent capacitance needed for the desired frequency range. Participants discuss the role of inductance and whether it remains constant when adding a second capacitor.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem, particularly regarding the treatment of inductance and how to approach the calculations for equivalent capacitance. There is no explicit consensus, but guidance has been offered on using known values to solve for unknowns.

Contextual Notes

There are constraints regarding the specific frequency range the circuit must achieve, and the original poster is working with limited information about the inductance value.

laminatedevildoll
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A variable capacitor with a range from 10 to 365 p is used with a coil to form a variable frequency LC circuit t0 tune the input to a radio.

a. What ratio of max and min frequencies may be obtained with such capcitor.

I used that [tex]\omega=\frac 1{\sqrt(LC)}[/tex] to get the ratio of max to min frequencies.

b. If this circuit is to obtain frequencies from 0.54 MHz to 1.60 mHz, the rato computed is too large. By adding a capacitor in parallel, this range may be adjused. What should the capacitance of this added be?

I said that [tex]C_{eq} = C_{old}+C_{new}[/tex]

I have to compute what [tex]C_{new}[/tex]. From part 1, I know my [tex]C_{old}[/tex]. But, how do I find [tex]C_{eq}[/tex] first? I am thinking that I have to compute that using the frequencies, but how do I get L?
 
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You're not doing anything to the coil, are you? Why would L change from what it was before adding the second capacitor?
 
I thought that the L canceled out when I was doing the ratio before. So, would I use L from part A? Do I solve for L?
 
Use the earlier inductance and the frequencies the circuit is supposed to be able to deal with. Solve for C_eq and solve for C_new.
 
You are given [itex]\omega_1, ~\omega _2[/itex]. You know [itex]C_{old}[/itex]. The unknowns are [itex]L,~C_{eq},~C_{new}[/itex].

You have three equations in 3 unknowns...
 

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