Find Inductance and Capacitance

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter MulatuOyarta
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Capacitance Inductance
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the inductance (L) and capacitance (C) for an RC circuit designed to resonate at a frequency of 580 Hz, with specific constraints on maximum current and potential energy. Participants explore various equations and concepts related to resonance, energy storage, and circuit behavior, including the role of the Q-factor.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to find L and C for an AM radio's RC circuit with given parameters, expressing confusion over the calculations.
  • Another participant suggests using the impedance relationship at resonance to find the LC product.
  • A participant references the Q-factor and its relationship to frequency, providing a formula for resonance.
  • There is a discussion about the relationship between maximum current, charge, and the Q-factor, with some uncertainty about the definitions and implications of Q.
  • One participant proposes using energy equations for the inductor and capacitor to derive L and C, while noting the absence of resistance complicates the analysis.
  • Clarification is sought regarding whether the circuit is series or parallel, with confirmation that it is a series circuit.
  • Another participant suggests using the maximum potential energy of the capacitor to solve for L and subsequently C, expressing tentative confidence in this approach.
  • A question arises about the frequency specification, whether it is 580 Hz or 580 kHz, indicating potential confusion over the problem's parameters.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints and approaches to solving the problem, with no consensus reached on the best method or the definitions of certain terms, particularly regarding the Q-factor and its implications in the context of the circuit.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of resistance in the circuit, which affects energy dissipation considerations. There is also uncertainty regarding the definitions of charge and energy in relation to the Q-factor, as well as the implications of the maximum current and potential energy given in the problem.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in circuit design, resonance phenomena, and the mathematical relationships governing inductance and capacitance in electrical engineering contexts.

MulatuOyarta
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Hello,

I need to construct an AM radio's RC circuit that:

1. resonates to frequency f= 580 Hz
2. has a maximum current of I = 0.2 A
3. the capacitor has a maximum potential energy U = 2 x 10^-5

I need to find: The inductance and capacitance (L & C) of this RC circuit.

Please help?

I keep trying different things and end up with really odd answers.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Impedance from inductor is equal to impedance from capacitor at resonance. That should give you value of LC product. Have you gotten that far?
 
Well, I already did the f= w/2(pie) = 1/2(pie)((LC)^(1/2)).

What puzzles me is how you find L & C after you do this. You see, I thought that somehow if I use i = -wQsin(wt) & q = Qcos(wt), I'd be able to do it. Because I'm told that the maximum current must be a certain value "I", I can say:

I = -wQsin(90) ----> I = -wQ

now the problem is that I don't know Q. How do I find Q? I could plug in w = 2(pie)f for w. So I really need Q in terms of L & C.

Once I have a system of equations, I can solve it. But... What do I do to get there?

EDIT: Thankyou Yungman, I will have a look at the link.
 
I have a new question. After reading the article, I am wondering whether the Q-factor they talk about here is the same as the Q in

q = Qcos(wt)
i = -wQsin(wt)

because I thought that "Q" represented the maximum charge of the capacitor. Additionally, if this Q-factor is the same as the Q in those equations, I run into the problem that the amount of energy dissipated per cycle is 0. LC circuits don't have resistors, meaning they don't consume energy.

Q = U / 0
 
first use the current equation in the circuit.
if resistance put is R and (ifthe circuit is in series) and if the applied voltage is V(rms) then
V=I^2*R (include the phase also, because at resonance XL cancels XC ).
also from the energy equation we have energy stored in capacitor and inductor and resistor (if distributed equally)
then U=(.5*LI^2)+(.5*CV^2)+(R*I^2)

and from the frequency equation u get another relation of L and C.

then just solve it.
you may get better result.

an attempt .
 
The problem with that is I don't know R or V. In fact, a pure LC circuit doesn't have an R... because it has no resistors.
 
is that a series or parallel LC circuit?
 
It's a series circuit.
 
  • #10
Okay guys, I think I might understand it. Because I'm given the maximum potential energy of the capacitor, I can use what shankar gave me:

U of inductor = 1/2 [ L I(t)2 ]
U of capacitor = 1/2 [ Q(t)2 / C]
U total = 1/2 [ L I(t)2 ] + 1/2 [ Q(t)2 / C ] = the sum of the individual potential energies of the components

There is no resistor, so I don't have to worry about resistance. Now, because I know that when the charge on the capacitor = 0, the current in the circuit is at its maximum, and I happen to know that the maximum current is qual to "I", then I can say:

U given to me = 1/2 [ L I(t)2 ]

The "q" term gets zeroed out. So, now I can just rearrange and solve for L. Then, I can plug L into the resonance equation "f" and get C.

Does this sound liek the right way to solve it?
 
  • #11
MulatuOyarta said:
I need to construct an AM radio's RC circuit that:

1. resonates to frequency f= 580 Hz
2. has a maximum current of I = 0.2 A
3. the capacitor has a maximum potential energy U = 2 x 10^-5.
a). Do you mean 580 Hz or 580 kiloHertz?

b). For a capacitor, the charge Q = CV.
the maximum current is dQ/dt = I = C dV/dt = ω0C Vmax
The maximum stored (potential?) energy is ½CVmax2

Bob S
 
  • #12
hope you are on the right way.
and things are looking fine now.try that one out. and if you don't get absurd result and on application if your set doesn't flop then your guess should be right.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K