Basic Trigonometry - Phasor Diagram

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on understanding the trigonometric relationships in phasor diagrams, specifically the equation Io = Iq + Id. Participants clarify that the components Id and Iq are perpendicular, with Id representing the Ax component and Iq representing the Ay component. The confusion arises from the negative sign associated with Io, which is explained through the trigonometric identity cos(90 - θ). The discussion emphasizes the importance of adapting formulas to fit the problem rather than forcing problems into memorized formulas.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic trigonometry, including sine and cosine functions.
  • Familiarity with phasor diagrams and vector addition.
  • Knowledge of the relationship between angles and their corresponding trigonometric functions.
  • Ability to interpret and analyze graphical representations of mathematical concepts.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the parallelogram theorem in vector addition.
  • Learn about trigonometric identities and their applications in engineering contexts.
  • Explore the concept of phasor representation in AC circuit analysis.
  • Review the derivation of trigonometric relationships in right-angled triangles.
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Engineering students, electrical engineers, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of trigonometric applications in phasor diagrams and vector analysis.

Fjolvar
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Homework Statement


Hello everyone,

I am having difficulty with something that should be very basic knowledge for most engineers here. I cannot see how this trigonometric relationship is being made from the phasor diagram I attached...

I remember the SohCahToa rule, but it's just not working here for me. Please if anyone can explain how these two equations were set up and how I can analyze the phasor diagram to see how.. it would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance.
 

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... basically, ##\vec{I}\!_0 = \vec{I}\!_q + \vec{I}\!_d##
... notice that Iq and Id are prependicular to each other?
 
Simon Bridge said:
... basically, ##\vec{I}\!_0 = \vec{I}\!_q + \vec{I}\!_d##
... notice that Iq and Id are prependicular to each other?

Yes I see that they're perpendicular. But I can't see how they are all related with sin and cosine..
 
Ok so I know these general formulas for a vector:

Ax=A cosθ
Ay=A sinθ
A=Ax+Ay (vectors)

Before I assumed "Id" to be our Ax and "Iq" to be our Ay here, which is where I think I made my mistake right? Since we are taking the angle with respect to the "y-axis" it seems to make more sense to use the Iq component as our Ax right? Or just use the parallelogram theorem of equivalency.. If so then I can see the relation through SohCahToa.

But I still don't see how -Io fits into the Id equation trigonometrically from the vector diagram..why is Io negative?

If someone can confirm my doubts I would be greatly appreciative.. Thank you.
 
Last edited:
Fjolvar said:
Ok so I know these general formulas for a vector:

Ax=A cosθ
Ay=A sinθ
A=Ax+Ay (vectors)

Before I assumed "Id" to be our Ax and "Iq" to be our Ay here, which is where I think I made my mistake right? Since we are taking the angle with respect to the "y-axis" it seems to make more sense to use the Iq component as our Ax right? Or just use the parallelogram theorem of equivalency.. If so then I can see the relation through SohCahToa.

But I still don't see how -Io fits into the Id equation trigonometrically from the vector diagram..why is Io negative?

If someone can confirm my doubts I would be greatly appreciative.. Thank you.

You are getting there.
Id is your Ax ... but, using your formulas, theta is to the "x axis".
The angles to the x-axis is 90 minus the angle to the y-axis.

I notice that the sketch is not to scale.
Anyway - you really need to stop thinking in terms of fitting problems to memorized formulas.
You should be making the formulas fit the problem ... when you add Id and Iq, head-to-tail, you get a right-angled triangle with I0 as the hypotenuse and you know all the angles.
 
Simon Bridge said:
You are getting there.
Id is your Ax ... but, using your formulas, theta is to the "x axis".
The angles to the x-axis is 90 minus the angle to the y-axis.

I notice that the sketch is not to scale.
Anyway - you really need to stop thinking in terms of fitting problems to memorized formulas.
You should be making the formulas fit the problem ... when you add Id and Iq, head-to-tail, you get a right-angled triangle with I0 as the hypotenuse and you know all the angles.

Thanks, but I still don't see in the phasor diagram why Io would be negative...
I can produce the equations perfectly, besides the fact that I get a positive Io, which I know is incorrect.
 
Fjolvar said:
Thanks, but I still don't see in the phasor diagram why Io would be negative...
I can produce the equations perfectly, besides the fact that I get a positive Io, which I know is incorrect.

I0 is not negative.
The minus sign comes from the trig identity... cos(90-A)=...
 
Simon Bridge said:
You are getting there.
Id is your Ax ... but, using your formulas, theta is to the "x axis".
The angles to the x-axis is 90 minus the angle to the y-axis.

I notice that the sketch is not to scale.
Anyway - you really need to stop thinking in terms of fitting problems to memorized formulas.
You should be making the formulas fit the problem ... when you add Id and Iq, head-to-tail, you get a right-angled triangle with I0 as the hypotenuse and you know all the angles.

I'm confused because this is how it's shown in the book, as I wrote the equations. The book didn't take 90-theta and I'm trying to understand how these relations are written using the original value of theta without subtracting from 90..
 
Last edited:
I see now. In the book they direct the d-axis in the opposing direction and the negative sign is carried over to the Io side of the equation!
 
  • #10
Fjolvar said:
I'm confused because this is how it's shown in the book, as I wrote the equations. The book didn't take 90-theta and I'm trying to understand how these relations are written using the original value of theta without subtracting from 90..
The book took a shortcut. The shortcut confused you - so, to understand it, you have to go the long way around.

Considering the way you have been thinking about the problem, you will understand it better if you use the relations you wrote properly. This means taking θ=90-<angle> in order to get the right theta for your equations. Can you see why this is the right theta for your equations?

Books won't always use the variable symbols to mean the same thing that you are used to.
This is allowed - and it is why you should really be figuring out the equations that go with the problem instead of, what you are doing, trying to fit the problem into the equations.
 

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