Can you explain Euler's Equation and KVL in engineering?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Euler's Equation and Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) in the context of engineering, specifically focusing on their theoretical understanding and application in solving differential equations related to electrical circuits.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants discuss the nature of Euler's Equation, noting it as an identity rather than just an equation, and express uncertainty about how it works.
  • There is a suggestion that the equation can be proven, with references to existing proofs, but no consensus on the explanation is reached.
  • Participants raise questions about the variables in the second equation, specifically what V_M, Ri(t), and i(t) represent.
  • One participant identifies the second equation as an inhomogeneous first-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) and suggests methods for solving it, such as the method of undetermined coefficients.
  • There is a discussion about the use of 'j' versus 'i' in electrical engineering to avoid confusion with current, with some participants expressing confusion over this notation.
  • Another participant provides a general solution form for the differential equation and discusses how to find the constants involved.
  • Some participants explore the implications of the general solution and how to derive specific values for the constants based on the differential equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding Euler's Equation and the differential equation presented. There is no clear consensus on the best approach to explaining or solving the problems, and multiple interpretations and methods are discussed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions and roles of the variables involved, and there are unresolved questions about the specific values of constants in the general solution of the differential equation.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for engineering students or professionals interested in the theoretical and practical applications of Euler's Equation and KVL in electrical engineering contexts.

iRaid
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In one of my engineering classes we discussed these two topics and I have two questions about this stuff.

First question is how does euler's equation work exactly..
e^{j\varphi}=cos\varphi+jsin\varphi

Second question is how do you solve this:
V_{M}cos\omega t=Ri(t)+L\frac{di(t)}{dt}

Thanks for the help..
(These aren't homework problems, just notes I do not understand)
 
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iRaid said:
First question is how does euler's equation work exactly..
e^{j\varphi}=\cos\varphi+i\cdot\sin\varphi

I, unfortunately, don't understand the question. What do you mean by "how?" (Note that I think you mean i, not j.)

And, to your second, what are Ri(t) and i(t)? Or V_M? I might be being an idiot and missing something.
 
Euler's equation is an identity. What do have in mind with the question "How does it work?"?
 
iRaid said:
In one of my engineering classes we discussed these two topics and I have two questions about this stuff.

First question is how does euler's equation work exactly..
e^{j\varphi}=cos\varphi+jsin\varphi

Second question is how do you solve this:
V_{M}cos\omega t=Ri(t)+L\frac{di(t)}{dt}

Thanks for the help..
(These aren't homework problems, just notes I do not understand)

Hi iRaid! :smile:

Euler's equation is more than an equation - it's an identitiy.
It is always true.
It's not so easy to explain why it is true, but there are proofs lying around.
For instance here.For your 2nd question, it's an inhomogeneous first order ODE.

The way to solve it is one of:
- method of undetermined coefficients
- with a standard formula for it
- variation of parameters@Whovian: in electrical engineering, the function ##i(t)## is often used to define an input signal, usually a current.
That makes the use of the symbol ##i## for the imaginary constant ambiguous.
That's why the symbol ##j## is used for the imaginary constant.
The expression ##R i(t)## is Ohm's law (##\Delta V = I \times R##).
 
Last edited:
I like Serena said:
Hi iRaid! :smile:

Euler's equation is more than an equation - it's an identitiy.
It is always true.
It's not so easy to explain why it is true, but there are proofs lying around.
For instance here.


For your 2nd question, it's an inhomogeneous first order ODE.

The way to solve it is one of:
- method of undetermined coefficients
- with a standard formula for it
- variation of parameters


@Whovian: in electrical engineering, the function ##i(t)## is often used to define an input signal, usually a current.
That makes the use of the symbol ##i## for the imaginary constant ambiguous.
That's why they use ##j## for the imaginary constant.
The expression ##R i(t)## is Ohm's law (##\Delta V = I \times R##).

Ah I remember euler's formula now, the j is what got me..
Well I don't know ODE's so this sucks lol.
 
iRaid said:
Ah I remember euler's formula now, the j is what got me..
Well I don't know ODE's so this sucks lol.

Ah well, let's just say that in your case the general solution is of the form (method of undetermined coefficients):
$$i(t) = C_0 e^{-\frac R L t} + K \cos ωt + M \sin ωt$$

Can you find the constants ##C_0, K, M##?
 
Oh, and since we're not in electrical engineering here, let me add that KVL is the abbreviation for Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, which states that the sum of voltages in any electrical loop must be zero. The 2nd equation sort of represents this for a specific situation.
 
Remember, electrical engineers use j = sqrt(-1) in place of i to avoid confusion with current.
 
I like Serena said:
Ah well, let's just say that in your case the general solution is of the form (method of undetermined coefficients):
$$i(t) = C_0 e^{-\frac R L t} + K \cos ωt + M \sin ωt$$

Can you find the constants ##C_0, K, M##?

If they are given I can lol. I'm not sure what you mean.
 
  • #10
The imaginary unit is also symbolized as j in physics. I believe that they denote it that way because it is consistent with the quaternions.

You can take the expedient yet historically dishonest path of defining exp(j*x)= cos x + j sin x. If you want to go the more honest path, consider the movement about the unit circle with a constant arc length speed and do some diff eq. with the IC that exp(0)=1.
 
  • #11
Yeah I see what you're saying. I knew that j was the imaginary unit, but when I saw that equation, I forgot that or something, I'm not sure lol it just screwed me up. And as stated above the j is used as i in EE so that it isn't confused with current as current is used I am many equations.
 
  • #12
iRaid said:
If they are given I can lol. I'm not sure what you mean.

When solving a differential equation, we're usually left with a general solution that has 1 or more as yet unknown constants.
When you fill in the general solution in the differential equation, you should find that some of those constants will have to have a specific value to satisfy the equation (for all values of t).
The question would then become: what do you get if you fill in this general solution in your equation?
(Only if you're interested of course.)
 
  • #13
Doing di(t)/dt it would be:
C_{0}=\frac{-R}{L}\\K=-\omega\\M=\omega

I believe?
 
  • #14
iRaid said:
Doing di(t)/dt it would be:
C_{0}=\frac{-R}{L}\\K=-\omega\\M=\omega

I believe?

Let's see...
$${di(t) \over dt} = - C_0 \frac R L e^{- \frac R L t} - Kω \cos ωt + Mω \sin ωt$$

So
$$V_M\cos ωt = Ri(t)+L{di(t) \over dt}$$
$$ \qquad = R(C_0 e^{- \frac R L t} +K \cos ωt + M \sin ωt) + L(- C_0 \frac R L e^{- \frac R L t} - Kω \sin ωt + Mω \cos ωt)$$
$$\qquad = (RK +LMω) \cos ωt + (RM - KLω) \sin ωt$$

Since it has to be true for any t, we find:
$$\left\{ \begin{array}{l}
RK +LMω = V_M \\
RM - KLω = 0
\end{array}\right.$$

From this you can solve K and M.
You still have a free choice for ##C_0##, but that choice follows if you know ##i(0)=i_0##.
 
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  • #15
I see thank you for the clarification.
 

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