Calculating Capacitance of LC Circuit

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the capacitance in an LC circuit, given an inductor value and the time it takes for the voltage to deplete. The original poster presents their calculations and reasoning based on the relationship between voltage, angular frequency, and capacitance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the resonant frequency and capacitance using the provided equations but encounters confusion regarding the voltage equation and its implications. Some participants suggest checking calculator settings for radians versus degrees, while others clarify the need for consistent time units.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's calculations, providing guidance on potential errors and clarifying the use of units. There is a recognition of the original poster's confusion regarding the voltage equation, but no explicit consensus has been reached on the final outcome.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the use of radians and degrees in calculations, as well as the specification of time in seconds versus fractions of a minute. These constraints are noted as part of the ongoing discussion.

omer10000
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Homework Statement



Calculate capacitance of LC Circuit where:

Inductor - 30H
Capacitance voltage fully charged goes to zero in 20 seconds

Homework Equations



Main Eq: V=V. *cost(ωt) where V is final Voltage, V. = Voltage initial, ω = resonant angular frequency

ω = 1/√(LC) = 2∏f

f. = 1/2∏√(LC) --> resonance frequency

The Attempt at a Solution



Calculated f=1/80 =0.0125Hz as voltage of capacitor takes 20s to deplete 1/4 cycle
∴ ω = 2∏*0.0125=0.0785

Rearranged angular frequency equation to solve for C
∴C=1/(ω^2 * L) = 5.404F

Since Voltage = 0 after t = 20s = 1/3min,

V=V. *cost(ωt)
0=V.*cos(0.0785*(1/3))

Since the whole equation is multiplication, calculating V. would not be required since if cos equaled 0 then so would the whole right hand side of the equation. However cos equals close to 1 and therefore I'm stuck.

Please help

Thank you

Edit: Thread has been answered and I'm correcting my mistake for those reading this post as a reference on how to answer this type of question. Mistake was in the calculation of main equation:

V=V.*cost(ωt)
0=V.*cos(0.0785rad/s*20s) --> Calculate using radian mode on calculator
0=V.*0.00
0=0 --> as anything multiplied by 0 is equal to 0

Answering main question of this thread...

Capacitance = 5.404 Farards
 
Last edited:
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Check your calculator for degrees versus radians setting.
 
gneill said:
Check your calculator for degrees versus radians setting.

Hi,

I checked by calculating cos in radians and degrees but both equal a figure close to one but i need it to equal zero.

Thank you
 
omer10000 said:
Hi,

I checked by calculating cos in radians and degrees but both equal a figure close to one but i need it to equal zero.

Thank you

Your ω is in units of radians per second. Your time should be specified in seconds, not fractions of a minute.
 
gneill said:
Your ω is in units of radians per second. Your time should be specified in seconds, not fractions of a minute.

Alright I got it.

V=V.*cos(ωt)
0=V.cos(0.0785rad/s * 20s)
0=V.*0.001=V.*0
0=0

Thanks for the help gneill, I suppose the above therefore is correct.

Answering the main question of this thread;

Capacitance = 5.404 Farads

Thank you
 
Last edited:
Yes, that looks good :smile:
 

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