Adding capacitance to an impedance

AI Thread Summary
To add a capacitance of -j15 ohms in parallel with an impedance of 10+j4 ohms, the correct approach involves using complex arithmetic rather than simple addition. The impedance should be calculated using the formula for combining impedances in parallel, which requires converting the components into their respective forms. The discussion emphasizes the importance of showing work and understanding the calculations involved, particularly in converting to polar form for easier manipulation. It also highlights the need for a calculator capable of complex arithmetic to simplify the process. Ultimately, the correct final impedance will not simply be 10-j11 ohms without proper calculation.
bengaltiger14
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Homework Statement





If I have an impedance of: 10+j4 ohms and was told to add a capacitance of -j15 in parallel to this, would this make the impedance 10-j11 ohms??
 
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sorry to bump but I need to know this for my homework. I would hate to work through the whole problem incorrectly.
 
bengaltiger14 said:

Homework Statement





If I have an impedance of: 10+j4 ohms and was told to add a capacitance of -j15 in parallel to this, would this make the impedance 10-j11 ohms??

Expecting less than a 2 hour turnaround on a homework question is not reasonable. Do not bump like this again.

But since you asked... Show us your work. Show us the math where you calculated the parallel impedance based on what relevant equations...?
 
It looks like you added the -j15 to the 10+j4. The problem with doing that is that 10+j4 is for a resistance of 10 in with a reactance of +j4. Your solution would be correct if you were to add the capacitor in series with the other two.

Can you think of what you have to do now?
 
I should do the combo in parallel like combining resistor in parallel but I am not sure how to do this since the capacitance does not have a magnitude. For example, would I just use
0+j4 in calculations?
 
The easy way is to find a calculator that does complex arithmetic. I use Excel but you have to add in the engineering package.

To convert series to parallel assuming real and imaginary do the following.
Rp = (Rs^2 + Is^2)/Rs
Ip = (Rs^2 + Is^2)/Is

Now add the capacitor
Ip(total) = 1/(1/Ip + 1/Ic)

Convert back to series
Rs = Rp/(Rp^2 + Ip^2)
Is = Ip(total)/((Rp^2 + Ip(total)^2)

where Rs = series resistance and Rp = parallel resistance.

Let me know how they tell you to work the problem. I derived these formulas myself. I don't know the official method. When I was doing bench level RF design I used to work these in my head for practice.
 
The way I would do it is: ((10+j4) * (... -j15))/((10+j4) + (...-j15)). I would change the top do polar to multiply.

After I added the bottom, I would change it to polar and finish the division. I just do not understand what I am suppose to use for the real part of -j15. I can do the math just unsure about that.
 
By the way, with a calculator that does complex arithmetic, you work it the same way you would with resistors, product over sum.
 
Since the -j15 is the series value, how much is the series resistance... zero.
 
  • #10
Converting to polar and back again is another good way to solve it.
 
  • #11
Convert -j15 to polar:

SQRT(0^2 + 15^2)
tan-1 (15)
= 15 angle(86.19)
Rectangular = 15cos(86.19) = .996
= 15sin(86.19) = j14.96
 
  • #12
Convert 0-j15 to polar... Mag 15, Ang -90 or I prefer 15@-90
 
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