Calculating Impedance in an RLC circuit

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the impedance across points a and b in an RLC circuit, where an inductor and capacitor are in series and this combination is in parallel with a resistor. The circuit parameters include specific values for frequency, inductance, resistance, and capacitance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the correct approach to combining the impedances of the components, questioning the method of summation for parallel components. There is mention of using complex impedance forms and attempts to clarify the circuit layout.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided alternative methods for calculating the impedance, including the use of complex numbers. There is acknowledgment of previous attempts that did not yield the correct results, and a sense of curiosity remains about the problem despite running out of homework attempts.

Contextual Notes

Participants note constraints such as the original poster having exhausted their homework attempts and the need for clarity on the circuit configuration and impedance calculations.

lpau001
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Homework Statement


Calculate the impedance Zab across ab.
w=0.75 Hz
wo=1 Hz.
L=1 H
R=1 Ohm
C=1 F

Inductor and Capacitor are in series, and together are in parallel with the resistor.

circuit looks like a capital A, but square on top, and rotated 90 degrees clockwise.. if that makes sense.

Homework Equations


Zeq=sqrt(R2 +(XL-XC)2)
XC=1/(wC)
XL=wL

The Attempt at a Solution


Using the equations above, I found XC to be 4/3 and XL to be .075.
inputting those in the impedance equations, I get
Z=sqrt(12 + (4/3-.75)2)
which is 1.1577 which is wrong..
 
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If I understand your circuit layout, you've got a resistance in parallel with a reactance (the net result of the sum of the capacitive and inductive reactances). You don't just sum them to get the result, they combine like parallel resistances.

It might be easier to use the complex form for the impedance and do the math.

Zr = 1Ω, Zx = -0.583jΩ, then the net impedance is

Z = Zr*Zx/(Zr + Zx)
 
gneill said:
If I understand your circuit layout, you've got a resistance in parallel with a reactance (the net result of the sum of the capacitive and inductive reactances). You don't just sum them to get the result, they combine like parallel resistances.

It might be easier to use the complex form for the impedance and do the math.

Zr = 1Ω, Zx = -0.583jΩ, then the net impedance is

Z = Zr*Zx/(Zr + Zx)

I actually did try this in an earlier attempt, because I thought this was right, but apparently not.
1/Z=1/Zr + 1/Zx

I'm stuck, and I actually ran out of attempts on the HW, but this is more out of curiosity now than anything.

Thanks, Gneill
 
Z = Zr*Zx/(Zr + Zx)

= 1*(-0.583j)/(1 + -0.583j) Ω

= -0.583j/(1 - 0.583j) Ω

Normalizing,

= 0.254 - 0.435j Ω

This has magnitude |Z| = 0.504 Ω, and phase angle -59.7°
 

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