How Does AC Power Flow Through a Resistor, Inductor, and Capacitor in a Circuit?

AI Thread Summary
AC power flows through a circuit containing a resistor, inductor, and capacitor, with the generator voltage described by ε=Vb-Va=εm cos(ωt). The circuit's resistance is 132.1 Ω, inductance is 10.3 μH, and the capacitive reactance is approximately 533.06 Ω. The power dissipated in the resistor at t=0 can be calculated using the phase angle φ, which is determined by the relationship between the inductive and capacitive reactances and resistance. The instantaneous power is expressed as P(t)=I²R, where the current is influenced by the impedance of the circuit. Understanding the transient response is crucial when the circuit is activated, as it affects the initial current flow.
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Homework Statement



A circuit is constructed with an AC generator, a resistor, capacitor, and inductor as shown. The generator voltage varies in time ε=Vb-Vam cos(ωt), where εm = 122.5 V and ω = 10.35 x 106 radians/second. The resistance of the circuit is R= 132.1 Ω. The inductance is L= 10.3 μH. XC = 533.060668709571.

https://www.smartphysics.com/Content/Media/UserData/8bc467c3-3c16-0dc8-ccd8-e71529e22ba1/noah_AC1.png

Homework Equations



$$ X_L = \omega L $$
$$ \tan(\phi) = \frac{X_L - X_C}{R} $$
$$ P(t) = I(t)^2R $$

The Attempt at a Solution



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Because $$ I(t) = \frac{V(t)\cos(\phi}{R}) $$, therefore $$ P(t) = I(t)^2R = \frac{\epsilon_m^2\cos(\omega t)^2\cos(\phi)^2}{R}. $$ Using the second relevant equation to get phi, I should obtain the power at P(0) simply by plugging in values. However, the correct value isn't generated.
 
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When we speak about power in an AC circuit, we mean the time average of the instantaneous power. When you integrate I2R with respect to time for a whole period and divide it by the time period T, you get that Pav=RI0^2/2. (Io/√2 is the rms (root-mean-square) value of the AC current.)


ehild
 
Perhaps I haven't clarified. I need to know the magnitude of the power dissipated in the resistor at t=0.
 
φ=arctan((XL-XC)/R) is the phase of the voltage with respect to the current in the whole circuit. The voltage leads the current by the angle φ or the current lags behind the voltage by φ.
If the voltage is ε(t)=εm cos(ωt), the current is I0cos((ωt-φ).
The amplitude of the voltage and current are related through the magnitude of the impedance Z=\sqrt{(X_L-X_C)^2+R^2}.

εm=ZI0. The instantaneous power is P(t)=I2R.

ehild
 
If, by t=0 one means that the power is switched on at time zero, so that the implied stimulus for the circuit is Emcos(ωt)u(t), then you've got a situation with a transient response since the initially inert circuit will be "hit" with a step of Em volts at that time.

Fortunately, the fact that it's a series circuit with an inductor helps you out in finding the initial current...
 
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