Derivatice of Complex Impedance

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around taking the derivative of the impedance of a parallel RLC circuit with respect to the frequency ω. The original poster expresses confusion about obtaining an imaginary result for the frequency at which maximum impedance occurs, questioning whether this is valid or indicative of an error in their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of obtaining an imaginary frequency and question the validity of this result. There is discussion about the differentiation of complex functions and the nature of extremum in complex analysis.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights regarding the nature of complex functions and their extrema, suggesting that the original poster may need to consider the modulus of the impedance instead. There is acknowledgment of the challenges in differentiating complex expressions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original poster's approach may have overlooked the need to analyze the modulus of the impedance for finding extrema, as complex functions do not have a straightforward notion of maximum or minimum values.

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Homework Statement



[Edit: Sorry for the typo in the thread title]

I'm doing a problem that involves taking the derivative of the impedance of a parallel RLC circuit with respect to the frequency ω of the applied voltage. I have to then set that derivative equal to zero to find the frequency at which the maximum impedance occurs. I'm pretty sure I did everything mostly right, but my answer ended up being imaginary. I ended up with ω = \frac{i}{\sqrt{LC}}. I'm sure the coefficient is right, since that's the resonant frequency of the undamped circuit. But should it really be imaginary? That seems odd to me. I've never actually taken the derivative of anything involving i before, so there might be something different you have to do that I don't know about. Anyway, I'm going to post my work. If someone could point out where I messed up (or explain why it's okay for the answer to be imaginary) it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Homework Equations

Z = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{R}+iωC -\frac{i}{ωL}}

The Attempt at a Solution



\frac{dZ}{dω} = -1(\frac{1}{R}+iωC -\frac{i}{ωL})^{-2}(iC+\frac{i}{ω^{2}L})

-iC-\frac{i}{ω^{2}L} = 0

ω^{2} = \frac{-1}{LC}

ω = \frac{i}{\sqrt{LC}}
 
Last edited:
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Opus_723 said:

Homework Statement



[Edit: Sorry for the typo in the thread title]

I'm doing a problem that involves taking the derivative of the impedance of a parallel RLC circuit with respect to the frequency ω of the applied voltage. I have to then set that derivative equal to zero to find the frequency at which the maximum impedance occurs. I'm pretty sure I did everything mostly right, but my answer ended up being imaginary. I ended up with ω = \frac{i}{\sqrt{LC}}. I'm sure the coefficient is right, since that's the resonant frequency of the undamped circuit. But should it really be imaginary? That seems odd to me. I've never actually taken the derivative of anything involving i before, so there might be something different you have to do that I don't know about. Anyway, I'm going to post my work. If someone could point out where I messed up (or explain why it's okay for the answer to be imaginary) it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Homework Equations

Z = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{R}+iωC -\frac{i}{ωL}}

The Attempt at a Solution



\frac{dZ}{dω} = -1(\frac{1}{R}+iωC -\frac{i}{ωL})^{-2}(iC+\frac{i}{ω^{2}L})

-iC-\frac{i}{ω^{2}L} = 0

ω^{2} = \frac{-1}{LC}

ω = \frac{i}{\sqrt{LC}}
I guess you do have to be careful when differentiating something with 'i' in it, because apparently $$\frac{d}{d\omega}\left(\frac{-i}{\omega L}\right) = \frac{i}{\omega^2 L}$$No negative sign.
 
I'm not sure I understand. That looks like what I did. I know there's no negative sign.

\frac{d}{dω}(\frac{-i}{L}ω^{-1}) = -1(\frac{-i}{L})ω^{-2} = \frac{i}{Lω^{2}}

This is what I did above.
 
There is no less/greater relation for complex number so complex function cannot have extremum. Actually you are seeking extremum of impedance modulus:
|Z|=\frac{1}{\sqrt{\frac{1}{R^2}+\left(\omega C-\frac{1}{\omega L}\right)^2}}
 
That makes sense. I get the right answer taking that derivative instead. I suppose I should have realized that a maximum of a complex function doesn't make a lot of sense.

Funny thing is, i tried the modulus first, but accidentally skipped a step in the derivative and so I lost the real root of the equation, and only got the complex one, which is the same thing i got above. I wonder if finding the zeros of the complex function always gives you the complex roots of the modulus?

Anyway, thanks a lot!
 

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