Calculating Current and Phase Angle in a Series RLC Circuit

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The discussion focuses on calculating the current and phase angle in a series RLC circuit with a 215-ohm resistor and a 0.200 H inductor connected to a 120 Hz generator. The user initially calculated the inductive reactance (Xl) as 150.796 and attempted to find the current using the formula Irms = Vrms/Xl, resulting in an incorrect current value. Participants pointed out the need to consider total impedance (Z) in the calculations, emphasizing that Z must be greater than the resistance alone. The correct approach involves using the formula Z = √(R² + (Xl - Xc)²), and the user was encouraged to verify their calculations for Z. Accurate calculations are essential for determining both current and phase angle in the circuit.
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Homework Statement


A circuit consists of a 215 resistor and a 0.200 H inductor. These two elements are connected in series across a generator that has a frequency of 120 Hz and a voltage of 235 V.

(a) What is the current in the circuit?

(b) Determine the phase angle between the current and the voltage of the generator.


Homework Equations


Xl=2(pi)fL
Irms=Vrms/Xl

The Attempt at a Solution


I used the equation to get 150.796 for Xl, then i plugged that into the equation Irms=Vrms/Xl to find current, but that gave me 1.558, which was not the right answer
 
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Your second equation in #2 above is incomplete. The resistor and inductor are in series, so you must use their total impedance in the V = I * Z equation. Does that fix it for you?
 
I'm still not getting it. I used V=IZ. I have V, which is 235 volts right? still, i did not have I or Z. So i used Z=(square root of)R^2 +(Xl-Xc)^2, and I got .89 for Z. Then plugging back into V=IZ, (235v)=I(.89)=262.49A for current?
 
Hi kdrobey,

kdrobey said:
I'm still not getting it. I used V=IZ. I have V, which is 235 volts right? still, i did not have I or Z. So i used Z=(square root of)R^2 +(Xl-Xc)^2, and I got .89 for Z. Then plugging back into V=IZ, (235v)=I(.89)=262.49A for current?

For these series RLC problems the impedance is

<br /> Z=\sqrt{R^2 + (X_L - X_C)^2}<br />

and so the impedance cannot be smaller than the resistance, so something is wrong there. What were the actual numbers you used to calculate Z?
 
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