Harmonic Function (time averages)

[jeff1evesque]

Homework Statement

The time-average of any time-harmonic function is always zero.

Homework Equations

<v(t)> = \frac{1}{T} \int_{0}^{T}v(t)dt = \frac{1}{T} \int_{0}^{T}V_{0}cos(\omega t + \phi)dt \equiv 0

The Attempt at a Solution

A harmonic function I think is defined as a sinusoidal function with some sort of fixed period, and a given phase. Here, I am just trying to understand notes I am reading. I don't understand why there is fraction of \frac{1}{T} in the equation above. Could someone also
explain to me why the time averages is initially defined as <v(t)> = \frac{1}{T} \int_{0}^{T}v(t)dt, and why it is set to zero.Thanks,Jeffrey

 

[Hootenanny]

In general, we define the average value of a function, f, on some interval [a,b] by,

\bar{f} = \frac{1}{b-a}\int^{a}_{b}f\left(x\right)\; dx

Effectively what we are doing is summing the value of the function, f, at a set of equally spaced points along the interval [a,b], then dividing by the number of points. We then take the limit as the number of points approaches infinity to obtain the formula quoted above. See http://www.ugrad.math.ubc.ca/coursedoc/math101/notes/applications/average.html" for more information.

Now in terms of your integral, T represents the time interval and therefore we set T = b - a and integrate along the segment [0,T].

Now, let's take a closer look at your example. Your integrand is most definitely a time-harmonic function, so let's compute the average explicitly:

\bar{v} = \frac{V_0}{T}\int^T_0 \cos\left(\omega t + \phi\right)\; dt

\bar{v} = \frac{V_0}{T\omega}\left.\sin\left(\omega t + \phi\right)\right|_0^T\; dt

Hence, \bar{v} is zero iff,

\sin\left(\omega T + \phi\right) = \sin\left(\phi\right)

which reduces to

\omega T = 2n\pi\;\;\;,\;\;\; n\in\mathbb{Z}[/itex]<br /> <br /> Hence, the time-average of a time-harmonic function is zero iff,<br /> <br /> T = \frac{n}{f}<br /> <br /> i.e. iff the time interval of integration is an integer multiple of the period.

 

[jeff1evesque]

That makes sense, but why does my notes say it is always zero?

 

[Hootenanny]

That makes sense, but why does my notes say it is always zero?

Without seeing your notes, I couldn't possibly say. Do your notes give any conditions or definitions on T?

 

[jeff1evesque]

Without seeing your notes, I couldn't possibly say. Do your notes give any conditions or definitions on T?

It just says, The time-average of any time-harmonic function is always zero.

 

[Hootenanny]

It just says, The time-average of any time-harmonic function is always zero.

Well that simply isn't true, as you can plainly see from explicitly computing the time-average of a general time-harmonic function. If T was the period, then I would agree with the statement, but in general it isn't true.

Are you using a textbook, or are these class notes?

 

[jeff1evesque]

Well that simply isn't true, as you can plainly see from explicitly computing the time-average of a general time-harmonic function.

Are you using a textbook, or are these class notes?

PDF notes from the lecturer. In this particular section of notes, we are discussing complex vectors and phasor notation to discuss sinusoidal varying vectors.