What is the Frequency for In-Phase Current and Voltage in RLC Circuit?

AI Thread Summary
In an RLC circuit with a 60-Hz generator, the RMS current is calculated to be 6.34 * 10^-2 A, with a phase angle of 27.8 degrees between the current and voltage. To achieve in-phase conditions, the reactance (XC) must be zero, which implies that the frequency must approach infinity. The discussion reveals that the phase angle being zero indicates that voltage and current are in phase. Participants noted that the current remains the same at very low and very high frequencies, highlighting the nature of R-C circuits. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding phase relationships in AC circuits.
monnapomona
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Homework Statement



This was a part question and I got everything else but one part (#4!):

1) A 60-Hz generator with an RMS potential of 240 V is connected in series with a 3350 Ohm resistor and a 1.5 microFarad capacitor. What is the RMS current in the circuit?
IRMS = 6.34 * 10-2 A

2) In the previous question, what is the phase angle between the current and total voltage (in degrees)?
\phi = 27.8 deg

3) What would be the average (RMS) power consumed in the circuit in the previous question?
Pavg = 13.5 W

4) At what frequency would the circuit in the previous problems have to be operated in order to have the current and total circuit voltage be in phase?

Homework Equations



z = sqrt(R^2 + XC^2) <-- not sure if I had to use this one
XC = 1/ωC
ω = 2πf

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't really know how to solve this (or if I'm even using the right equations to solve for it) but I tried solving for f in the formula and I got 72.3 as the answer and it was wrong in the homework assignment. I think phase difference is pi/2 so if it's in phase, do I need to add pi/2 to my final answer...? I'm very lost with this question as you can tell.
 
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monnapomona said:

Homework Statement



This was a part question and I got everything else but one part (#4!):

1) A 60-Hz generator with an RMS potential of 240 V is connected in series with a 3350 Ohm resistor and a 1.5 microFarad capacitor. What is the RMS current in the circuit?
IRMS = 6.34 * 10-2 A

2) In the previous question, what is the phase angle between the current and total voltage (in degrees)?
\phi = 27.8 deg

3) What would be the average (RMS) power consumed in the circuit in the previous question?
Pavg = 13.5 W

4) At what frequency would the circuit in the previous problems have to be operated in order to have the current and total circuit voltage be in phase?

Homework Equations



z = sqrt(R^2 + XC^2) <-- not sure if I had to use this one
XC = 1/ωC
ω = 2πf

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't really know how to solve this (or if I'm even using the right equations to solve for it) but I tried solving for f in the formula and I got 72.3 as the answer and it was wrong in the homework assignment. I think phase difference is pi/2 so if it's in phase, do I need to add pi/2 to my final answer...? I'm very lost with this question as you can tell.

Well, for one thing, it's a trick question.

What is the expression for phase angle between total applied voltage and current for a series R-C circuit?

Or: go back to part 2 and change the frequency until you get in-phase between total applied voltage and current.
 
rude man said:
Well, for one thing, it's a trick question.

What is the expression for phase angle between total applied voltage and current for a series R-C circuit?

Or: go back to part 2 and change the frequency until you get in-phase between total applied voltage and current.

I think it's cos\phi = R/Z, Z = sqrt(R^2 + XC^2)... I don't know if I thinking about this correctly but does in phase mean that the angle = 0?
 
monnapomona said:
I think it's cos\phi = R/Z, Z = sqrt(R^2 + XC^2)... I don't know if I thinking about this correctly but does in phase mean that the angle = 0?

That formula is correct.
Yes, "in phase" means zero phase angle between V and i.

So now what does XC have to be to make the phase angle zero?
 
rude man said:
That formula is correct.
Yes, "in phase" means zero phase angle between V and i.

So now what does XC have to be to make the phase angle zero?

Hmm... well if cos-1(1) = 0, then my answer has to equal 1 somehow... so wouldn't XC need to be 0 because:

cos\phi = 3500 \Omega / sqrt((3500 \Omega)^2 + 0^2) = 1
\phi = cos-1(1) = 0 deg
 
Hi physics 126 classmate here. I'm also stuck on this question. I propose to get I and V in phase, the frequency has to be infinity.
 
mojo11jojo said:
Hi physics 126 classmate here. I'm also stuck on this question. I propose to get I and V in phase, the frequency has to be infinity.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking cause if the XC is 0 then we would have to be dividing over 0 to get f since XC = 1/(2πf*C)... is that what you did?
 
yup just yolo'd and typed infinity into the answer slot. It is correct :) Also the last question, the answer is The current will be the same at very low frequencies and at very high frequencies only.
 
mojo11jojo said:
yup just yolo'd and typed infinity into the answer slot. It is correct :) Also the last question, the answer is The current will be the same at very low frequencies and at very high frequencies only.

Say what! Haha awesome.

Ah, I got that one! Thanks! :P
 
  • #10
Enjoy the free 100% for anyone googling answers
 
  • #11
monnapomona said:
Say what! Haha awesome.

Ah, I got that one! Thanks! :P

Told yu it was a trick question!

But - what's this about the current being the same at very low & very high frequencies?
 
  • #12
It's a separate question altogether not included in the original post
 
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