How Do You Calculate Instantaneous Power in Electric Circuits?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating instantaneous power in electric circuits, specifically focusing on the relationship between power, voltage, and current over time. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the steps needed to find instantaneous power, particularly in relation to a specific problem from their homework.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to derive a formula for power as a function of time and explore how to find the maximum power. There are questions about the appropriate values of time to use and the process of taking derivatives of the power equation. Some participants suggest simplifying the equations for ease of use.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering guidance on deriving formulas and suggesting methods for finding maximum power. There is a recognition of the complexity involved in the calculations, and some participants have shared alternative approaches to the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a specific answer from a textbook that the original poster is trying to reconcile with their calculations. The discussion also reflects uncertainty about the teacher's expectations for part C of the homework, particularly regarding the method of finding the maximum power.

VitaX
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Homework Statement



[PLAIN]http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/7201/electriccircuits113.png

Homework Equations



p = dW/dt; p = vi; W = Integral (p(t)) dt

The Attempt at a Solution



I think for the most part I got parts a and b correct. What I'm having significant trouble with is part c. The answer in the back of the book is 42.678 W. I believe I have to find power first, then find the energy from integrating that power and lastly take the derivative with respect to time in order to find the instantaneous power. The only thing is, what values of t are even present to plug in at the end to find the answer to part c? I'm getting confused on this one, badly.
 
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Hi VitaX! :smile:
VitaX said:
… what values of t are even present to plug in at the end to find the answer to part c?

You should get a formula for power flow, as a function of t …

then just find the maximum. :wink:

But if you're still having difficulty, show us your full calculations so far :smile:
 
Well I'm looking at this http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/powerac.html

Instantaneous Power = Vm*Im*Cos(theta)*Sin^2(wt) - Vm*Im*Sin(theta)*Sin(wt)*Cos(wt)

I know to find t I would have to plug in my values and then proceed to take the derivative and set equation equal to zero, but I'm having a lot of difficulty even attempting to take the derivative of this equation. Isn't there a way to simply this down somewhat for ease of use?

Edit: Nevermind with part C, I believe the teacher just wanted us to find the max using a graphing method.
 
Last edited:
Hi VitaX! :smile:

(just got up :zzz: …)
VitaX said:
Edit: Nevermind with part C, I believe the teacher just wanted us to find the max using a graphing method.

For future reference, it would have been easier just to use P = VI and the original formulas,

V = 10sin(2π103t), I = 10sin(2π103t - 45°) = (10/√2)(sin(2π103t) - cos(2π103t)) :wink:

Also that formula for P from hyperphysics isn't very informative …

an easier formula (from the PF Library on https://www.physicsforums.com/library.php?do=view_item&itemid=303") is

[tex]P = VI =\ V_{max}I_{max}\cos(\omega t + \phi/2)\cos(\omega t - \phi/2)[/tex]
[tex]=\ V_{max}I_{max}(\cos\phi + \cos2\omega t)/2[/tex]​
(because [itex]2cosAcosB = cos(A-B) + cos(A+B))[/itex])
[tex]=\ V_{rms}I_{rms}(\cos\phi + \cos2\omega t)[/tex]​

which clearly separates the constant part and the variable part :smile:
 
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