# Differential EQ of this RL Circuit

1. Feb 9, 2009

### saad87

Hi,

I have the above the circuit and I've ended up with the following differential equation. I've tried solving it by separating the variables, but am not sure if its the right answer.

IR + L(di/dt) + IR = x(t)

x(t) = 5V. But since IR = y(t) and di/dt = 1/R dy/dt.

y(t) is the Voltage across the 2nd Resistor.

y(t) + L/2R(dy/dt) = 2.5

Solution:

y(t) = 2.5 - e(-2*R*t)/L

y(t) is the voltage across the 2nd Resistor.

I've tried simulating it using an online applet, and I've not been getting the predicted result. Any help? How do I analyze this?

2. Feb 9, 2009

### saad87

Nevermind, just solved it.

3. Feb 9, 2009

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
The general solution to that equation is $y= 2.5+ Ce^{-2Rt/L}$ but to determine C you need more information, say the value of y when t= 0. With C= 1, y(0)= 2.5- 1= 1.5 volts. Is that true?

4. Feb 9, 2009

### coomast

Hello saad87, welcome to the forum.

Your original equation is OK. The way you solve it is not OK though. If you rewrite the original equation as:
$$2\cdot R \cdot i + L\cdot \frac{di}{dt}=x(t)$$
or
$$\frac{di}{dt}=5-200\cdot i$$
Can you proceed in solving this for i?

After having found i you can find the voltage across the resisters by applying the law of Ohm and the voltage across the coil with:
$$L\cdot \frac{di}{dt}$$

In case of any more questions, please ask,

coomast

5. Feb 9, 2009

### coomast

Oeps, too late....

6. Feb 10, 2009

### saad87

Yeah, the only thing I was doing wrong I was not applying the limits, at all. Smacked my head when I found what was wrong.

Anyway, here's what I"m confused about. I'm studying a course on Signals & Systems, and the above question confused me because there were no initial conditions specified!

It simply said "find the response of the system if x(t) = 0 for t<0 and x(t)=5 for t>0"

Does this mean, that since x = 0 for t<0, that I can assume y(0) = 0?

7. Feb 10, 2009

### coomast

Hello saad87,

What you need to do is to use the law of Ohm to find the voltage across the second resistor. This is y(t)=R*i(t)=100*i(t).
The thing to do is thus to find the current or the solution to the equation I described. The initial condition is i(0)=0. This because the voltage is applied at t=0, and at this time no current is flowing because of the presence of the coil. The complete voltage at the beginning is across this coil and goes down for t>0. This is the standard behaviour of an series-LR circuit.
Did you find the current meaning did you solve the differential equation?

coomast

8. Feb 10, 2009

### saad87

Yeah, I only wanted to know if v(0) = 0. I didn't find the current and instead, found out the voltage on the 2nd Resistor directly using the differential equation I mentioned above.

I then simulated the circuit and found the voltage across the resistor at a certain time T (5 ms if you must know), and the results from my equation and the simulation agree. So I'm satisfied that my answer is correct!

Know someone interested in this topic? Share this thread via Reddit, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook