Current phase between inductor and capacitor in LCR-circuit

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the phase relationship between the current and voltage in an LCR circuit, particularly at resonance. Participants explore concepts related to phase angles, energy storage in inductors and capacitors, and the implications of these relationships in circuit behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that at resonance, the phase angle is zero, but questions the implications of other phases, particularly the out-of-phase relationship between the current and voltage in the capacitor and inductor.
  • Another participant points out that at perfect resonance, the phase angle can lead to extreme values in the arctan function, suggesting that real circuits cannot achieve zero resistance.
  • A third participant clarifies that at resonance, the current is in quadrature with the voltage, indicating a phase difference of π/2.
  • A fourth participant summarizes their understanding, stating that while the current is equal throughout the circuit, the voltage is not in phase across different components, and energy oscillates between the inductor and capacitor due to the phase difference.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of phase relationships at resonance, particularly regarding the nature of current and voltage in the circuit. There is no consensus on the interpretation of these relationships.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of phase relationships and energy transfer in LCR circuits, noting that assumptions about ideal conditions may not hold in practical scenarios.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners interested in electrical engineering, circuit analysis, and the behavior of resonant circuits.

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At resonance (## \omega_0^2= 1/LC##) in an LCR-Circuit the phase angle given by
\theta=\tan^{-1}\left( \frac{\omega L - 1/\omega C}{R} \right)
obviously is zero. And still there are other phases to deal with. This I don't understand. Let me elaborate.

For example when calculating the amount of stored energy at resonance, then you can visualize that the energy goes back and forth between capacitor and inductor. So they are not in phase, but are in fact out of phase by ##\pi /2##, or rather the current is.

Now my question is: In what equation (or diagram) is this clearly marked?
 
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This shows the problem with perfect resonance. You know the phase angle is π/2, so plug that into the equation you used, and you'll find that must mean the parameter of the arctan function is some really huge or really small number (let's say... infinity).

Notice the parameter goes to infinity as R goes to 0. But R can't be zero in a real circuit.
 
At resonance the CURRENT flowing is in quadrature with the VOLTAGE.

For the inductor; v = L * di/dt
If di/dt is a sine wave then v must be a cosine. Hence the quadrature.
 
Ok, let's see if I got things right:

1. The current is (for an ideal inductor with no capacitance) equal throughout the LCR-Circuit. (This is so because of Kirchoffs first rule.)

2. The voltage is not in phase between the different parts of the Circuit but at resonance it all adds up to zero.

3. The energy in the inductor is dependent of the current, whereas the energy of the capacitor is dependent of the voltage. And when the voltage is ##\pi /2## out of phase to the current (especially in the capacitor), the effect is that energy goes back and forth between inductor and capacitor. (In the book I read they put the current out of phase, when calculating the energy, which confused me.)
 

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