Critically damped current in this network

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the damping condition of a given electrical network using Kirchhoff's laws. The professor indicates that the current is "critically damped," which requires finding equal real roots in the characteristic equation. The user initially struggles with the calculations but realizes a mistake in their approach. They clarify that critical damping occurs when R equals the square root of 4L/C, confirming the circuit's critically damped status with the provided values. Additionally, the conversation touches on undamped circuits, noting that an LC circuit without a resistor can oscillate indefinitely without energy loss.
EEZeroo
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


I'm supposed to find whether the current in the following network is

a) under-damped
b) critically damped
c) undamped
c) over-damped

69a41e90b3645d9e7114cb87b7e00ab2.png


Homework Equations


According to Kirchoff's laws
c14ee8367ddccabff780a7275dd9f322.png


The Attempt at a Solution



The answer given by my professor for this question is supposed to be "b) critically damped" so I just converted the given values into SI values
R = 1kilo-ohm = 1000 ohm
L = 10mH = 0,01H
C = 40nF = 4 * 10^(-8)

and then I tried relating them to

3e2c036273361ac3e5a5bc528b59cc44.png


But I do not find two real roots that are equal for it to be critically damped.

What did I do wrong?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Critical damping will occur when \alpha^{2}-4\omega^{2}_{o}=0. Another way to write it is: R=sqrt(4*L/C). If you plug in your values for R, L and C, you'll find that it is indeed critically damped.
 
Thank you. I see that my silly mistake was that I substracted the 10 instead of leaving it homogenous.

Though, when exactly is a circuit undamped? I know when it's critically, overdamped or underdamped but when would it be undamped?
 
If there's a resistor, there will always be energy lost, hence the damping.
An LC circuit (no resistor) will oscillate without damping.
 
Back
Top