How does adding resistance affect the frequency of a series RLC circuit?

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Homework Help Overview

This discussion focuses on the effect of resistance on the frequency of a series RLC circuit, particularly examining how damping influences the frequency shift from an undamped state.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between resistance, quality factor (Q), and frequency. They discuss the formula for frequency in a damped circuit and consider using binomial expansion for small resistance values. Questions arise about expressing the percentage change in frequency and how to relate it to Q.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, attempting to derive expressions for percentage change in frequency. Some have reached similar numerical results, indicating a shared understanding of the small effect of resistance on frequency at high Q values, though no consensus on the final interpretation has been established.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the quality factor Q is significantly high (1000), which influences their calculations and justifications regarding the smallness of the frequency shift.

StandardBasis
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Homework Statement


This is to look at the effect of damping on the frequency of a series RLC circuit. Let W=1/(sqrt(LC)) be the frequency of an undamped circuit. Suppose enough resistance is added to bring Q down from infinity to 1000. By what percentage is the frequency, ω, thereby shifted from W?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


So, I know that ω=sqrt(W^2-(R/2L)^2). I can pull out the W, and say ω=W[1-(R/(2LW))^2]^(1/2). I think I can justify that fraction being small, because let's just assume that the R I added was small (Q is 1000, which is quite large, so that's a fair assumption). Then I'll use a binomial expansion to say that ω≈W[1-(R^2/(8*L^2*W^2)].

But now I'm stuck: I know that Q=ω*L/R=1000. So, W[1-(R^2/(8*L^2*W^2)]*L/R=1000, but who do I solve this as a percentage of ω?

Or have I made a mistake?
 
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Using just the symbols ω and W, how would you express the percentage change of ω from W?

Then see if you can use your expression ω≈W[1-(R^2/(8*L^2*W^2)] to express this percentage change in terms of R, L, and W. You'll then need to relate this to Q.
 
The percentage change would be ω/W, yes?

Then, the percentage difference would really just be 1-(R^2/(8L^2W^2)... but R^2/(L^2*W^2) is actually just 1/Q^2?

And then I plug in 1000 for that Q?
 
StandardBasis said:
The percentage change would be ω/W, yes?

Note quite. The percent change in a quantity is the amount the quantity changes divided by the initial amount (and then expressed as a percent).
 
Whoops, my mistake! Its (Omega-W)/(Omega)?

I end up getting -1.25e-7, so it decreases by 1.25e-5 percent... very small!
 
That's what I get too. Yes, it is small. I guess a Q of 1000 is practically the same as a Q of infinity (unless you're dealing with very accurate measurements)!
 
Thank you very much!
 

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