Calculating half power frequency/cutoff frequency

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating half power frequency for two problems involving voltage ratios. The first problem uses a voltage ratio of 1/(2√2), while the second uses 1/2, leading to confusion about the differing approaches. Participants clarify that at half power frequency, the power absorbed is half of the maximum power, which is why the voltage ratios differ. Additionally, it's noted that as frequency increases, capacitors behave like short circuits, affecting the output. Understanding the correct voltage ratios is crucial for accurately determining the half power frequency in both cases.
vishwesh
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Homework Statement



*(Problems attached as images)*

For first problem:

##\cfrac{|V_2|}{|V_1|} = \cfrac{1}{\sqrt{4+(\omega RC)^2}}##

For second problem:

##\cfrac{|V_2|}{|V_1|} = \cfrac{\sqrt{1+(\omega RC)^2}}{\sqrt{4 + (\omega RC)^2}}##

I have to calculate half power frequency for both cases.

Homework Equations



At half power frequency, power absorbed by circuit = max power/2

The Attempt at a Solution


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I cannot understand why the problem was solved differently in both cases. In first problem,##\cfrac{V_2}{V_1}## was set to ##\cfrac{1}{2\sqrt{2}}## and in the second problem it was set to ##\cfrac{1}{2}##. While in both problems, max value of ##\cfrac{V_2}{V_1}## occurs at ##\omega = 0## and is equal to ##\cfrac{1}{2}##.

Can someone please clear this doubt?

Thanks
 

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Power = Voltage * Current
 
Svein said:
Power = Voltage * Current
Thanks for the reply. But, I didn't get you. I am familiar with that formula. I understand that we use that formula to substitute ##\cfrac{|V_2|}{|V_1|} = \cfrac{1}{\sqrt{2}}## but how does it explain the ##\cfrac{1}{2\sqrt{2}}## part ?

Thanks again.
 
When the impedance is reduced, the current increases. Thus the power ratio is not equal to the voltage ratio.
 
When the impedance is reduced, the current increases. Thus the power ratio is not equal to the voltage ratio.
 
vishwesh said:
I cannot understand why the problem was solved differently in both cases. In first problem,##\cfrac{V_2}{V_1}## was set to ##\cfrac{1}{2\sqrt{2}}## and in the second problem it was set to ##\cfrac{1}{2}##. While in both problems, max value of ##\cfrac{V_2}{V_1}## occurs at ##\omega = 0## and is equal to ##\cfrac{1}{2}##.

Can someone please clear this doubt?

Thanks
Check again the frequency and maximum output for the second circuit. How do capacitors behave with frequency?

For the second solution shown, I think the magnitude of the voltage ratio should have been set to ##\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}## rather than ##\frac{1}{2}##
 
gneill said:
Check again the frequency and maximum output for the second circuit. How do capacitors behave with frequency?

For the second solution shown, I think the magnitude of the voltage ratio should have been set to ##\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}## rather than ##\frac{1}{2}##

Thanks for the reply. I think I got it. The max output should be 1 when ##\omega \rightarrow \infty##?
 
vishwesh said:
Thanks for the reply. I think I got it. The max output should be 1 when ##\omega \rightarrow \infty##?
Yup. The capacitor starts to look like a short at high frequencies.
 
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