How Do You Calculate Current Amplitude in a Parallel RC Circuit?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the current amplitude in a parallel RC circuit connected to an AC generator. The circuit consists of a resistor and a capacitor, with given values for resistance, capacitance, and voltage. Participants are exploring the relationships between voltage, current, and impedance in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conversion of angular frequency to frequency and the implications for calculating current. There is an exploration of how to calculate impedance in a parallel circuit compared to a series circuit, with questions about the correct approach to finding total current.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the differences in calculating impedance for parallel circuits. Some guidance on the relationships between voltages and currents in the circuit has been offered, but no consensus has been reached on the specific calculations needed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework problem, which may limit the information available for calculations. There is also a focus on understanding the phase relationships between currents in the parallel configuration.

nateastle
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A resistor with a resistance of 500 ohms and a capacitor with with a capacitance of 2 x 10^-6 f are connected in parrallel to an ac generator that supplies an rms voltage of 260 v at an angular frequency of 377 rad /s find the current amplitude in the resistor (Ir)peak.

I know I have to convert 377 from rad / s to hz when I do I get 60 hz. From there I am unsure of how to calculate the rest. I know in a traditional series lrc circuit you calculate Z = [(Xl -Xc)^2 + R^2]^.5 but I and with z you can find the i which would be V/Z.
 
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nateastle said:
A resistor with a resistance of 500 ohms and a capacitor with with a capacitance of 2 x 10^-6 f are connected in parrallel to an ac generator that supplies an rms voltage of 260 v at an angular frequency of 377 rad /s find the current amplitude in the resistor (Ir)peak.

I know I have to convert 377 from rad / s to hz when I do I get 60 hz. From there I am unsure of how to calculate the rest. I know in a traditional series lrc circuit you calculate Z = [(Xl -Xc)^2 + R^2]^.5 but I and with z you can find the i which would be V/Z.
Since V is the rms voltage then I = V/Z is the rms current. The peak voltage is \sqrt{2}V_{rms} So peak current is V_{peak}/Z

AM
 
would you calculate Z the same way with the capaicitor and reisitor in parrallel?
 
nateastle said:
would you calculate Z the same way with the capaicitor and reisitor in parrallel?
No. The voltages are the same across R and C and the total current is the sum of the R and C currents (except there is a 90 degree phase difference between the two currents, of course). It is similar to parallel circuits with only resistance.

V_R = V_C = V; I_R = V/R; I_C = V/X_C

I_R + I_C = I = V/Z = V/R + V/X_C so:

\frac{1}{Z} = \frac{1}{R} + \frac{1}{X_c} = \frac{1}{R} + j\omega C}

AM
 
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