Finding resistance and capacitance

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the resistance (R) and capacitance (C) in an electrical circuit based on given voltage magnitudes and phase relationships. Participants explore various approaches to analyze the circuit, including impedance calculations and the use of complex numbers.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about their initial approach and seeks help with the problem.
  • Another participant suggests a formula for the impedance across the capacitor and questions whether it is correct.
  • Some participants propose an alternative method involving the division of complex numbers to analyze phase angles.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of the phase angle being π/2 and how it affects the calculations.
  • One participant calculates the argument of the voltage ratio and seeks confirmation on their approach.
  • Another participant points out a potential error in the denominator of the argument calculation.
  • Participants discuss the condition required for the arctan of the expression to equal π/2, leading to a derived relationship between R and C.
  • One participant shares their calculated values for C and R and asks for validation of their answers.
  • Another participant indicates that the answers are incorrect by a factor of two and suggests that this may be clarified as the calculations are tidied up.
  • Participants express appreciation for each other's explanations and assistance throughout the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the final values of R and C, as there are indications of errors in calculations and differing interpretations of the problem. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correctness of the final answers.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential errors in calculations and assumptions, particularly regarding the impedance and the relationship between R and C. The discussion also highlights the complexity of handling phase angles in circuit analysis.

MissP.25_5
Messages
329
Reaction score
0
I am stuck, can someone help me, please? I am not sure if I started the right way, it seems tedious :(

The magnitude of V1 is 2 times greater than V2, and its phase leads π/2 ahead. The angular frequency ω of the power supply voltage is 5rad/s.
Find the values of the resistance R and Capacitance C.
 

Attachments

  • 2c.jpg
    2c.jpg
    56.3 KB · Views: 392
  • IMG_4379.jpg
    IMG_4379.jpg
    34.9 KB · Views: 426
Physics news on Phys.org
OK, I think I did a mistake on the impedance across the capacitor. It's a parrallel set, right?
So is this formula correct? Z2=R//(1/jwc)

So here's what I've done so far. What should I do next?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4380.jpg
    IMG_4380.jpg
    61.6 KB · Views: 430
Last edited:
Or perhaps there is another easier way to do it?
 
MissP.25_5 said:
Or perhaps there is another easier way to do it?

Perhaps there is. Rather than hammering away at the phase angles right away, remember that when you divide two complex numbers the resulting angle is the difference between the numerator's angle and the denominator's angle. So, if you divide V1/V2 you want the phase angle of the result to be ##\pi/2##.

Why not suppose that the source driving the circuit is a 1A current source. Then from your work,

##V1 = 1 + 2j##

##V2 = \frac{R}{1 + 5RCj}##

Can you carry on?

(HINT: The tricky bit lies in realizing the implications of the angle being ##\pi/2##)
 
gneill said:
Perhaps there is. Rather than hammering away at the phase angles right away, remember that when you divide two complex numbers the resulting angle is the difference between the numerator's angle and the denominator's angle. So, if you divide V1/V2 you want the phase angle of the result to be ##\pi/2##.

Why not suppose that the source driving the circuit is a 1A current source. Then from your work,

##V1 = 1 + 2j##

##V2 = \frac{R}{1 + 5RCj}##

Can you carry on?

(HINT: The tricky bit lies in realizing the implications of the angle being ##\pi/2##)

Ok, so I have to find arg(V1/V2), right? I got arg(V1/V2) = arctan((5CR+2)/(1-10R))

Am I doing this right? I want to make sure before proceeding.
 
MissP.25_5 said:
Ok, so I have to find arg(V1/V2), right? I got arg(V1/V2) = arctan((5CR+2)/(1-10R))

Am I doing this right? I want to make sure before proceeding.

That's the idea. Check the denominator though, I think you've dropped a 'C'.

In order for the arctan of this expression to be ##\pi/2##, what condition must hold?
 
gneill said:
That's the idea. Check the denominator though, I think you've dropped a 'C'.

In order for the arctan of this expression to be ##\pi/2##, what condition must hold?

Errr...I'm guessing that the real part of the complex number aka the x-coordinate to be 0?
So, that means 1-10CR=0, and CR= 0.1 !I think that must be correct.
 
Last edited:
MissP.25_5 said:
Errr...I'm guessing that the real part of the complex number aka the x-coordinate to be 0?
So, that means 1-10CR=0, and CR= 0.1 !I think that must be correct.

:approve:

Yes, in the limit as the denominator goes to zero, the slope goes to infinity. That's the same as saying that the angle goes to vertical --- 90° or ##\pi/2## radians.

I suggest that for now you write it as ##C = \frac{1}{10 R}##. (You'll see why a bit later).

Can you now use the information about the ratio of magnitudes of V1 and V2 to proceed?
 
gneill said:
:approve:

Yes, in the limit as the denominator goes to zero, the slope goes to infinity. That's the same as saying that the angle goes to vertical --- 90° or ##\pi/2## radians.

I suggest that for now you write it as ##C = \frac{1}{10 R}##. (You'll see why a bit later).

Can you now use the information about the ratio of magnitudes of V1 and V2 to proceed?

Yes, actually I was solving it while waiting for your reply. The answer for C is 1/25 and R is 5/2. Are my answers correct?
I can't show you my working yet because it's too messy LOL.
 
  • #10
MissP.25_5 said:
Yes, actually I was solving it while waiting for your reply. The answer for C is 1/25 and R is 5/2. Are my answers correct?
They're off by a factor of two. No doubt this will be discovered as you "tidy up" :smile:
I can't show you my working yet because it's too messy LOL.
Ha! :smile:
 
  • #11
gneill said:
They're off by a factor of two. No doubt this will be discovered as you "tidy up" :smile:

Ha! :smile:

Yeah, I had a careless mistake there. Here it is, tell me if I did it right. You're a genius, man, thank you so much!You explain better than my own professor does, haha.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4387.jpg
    IMG_4387.jpg
    24.9 KB · Views: 427
  • #12
MissP.25_5 said:
Yeah, I had a careless mistake there. Here it is, tell me if I did it right.
Looks good!
You're a genius, man, thank you so much!You explain better than my own professor does, haha.
That's very kind of you to say. Thanks!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
5K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K