How is the average value for a sinewave derived?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of the average value of a sine wave, exploring mathematical approaches and interpretations. Participants express confusion regarding the integration process, the relevance of the sine function in different contexts, and the implications of using root mean square (RMS) values in calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the placement of the topic in the physics section, suggesting it is more appropriate for mathematics.
  • One participant provides a formula for the average value of a function over an interval, specifically applying it to the sine function.
  • Another participant discusses the integration of power over time and its implications for average energy delivery.
  • There is a suggestion that using electrical angles may overlook important time-related information in the context of average values.
  • Participants explore the relationship between average power and RMS values, with some expressing confusion about the derivation process.
  • One participant points out that integrating sin^2 over a period cannot yield zero, as sin^2 is always positive.
  • There are multiple references to the need for clarity in the problem statement and the derivation process, with some participants expressing frustration over misunderstandings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the derivation process or the appropriate context for the discussion. Confusion and differing interpretations persist regarding the use of RMS values and the implications of integrating sine functions.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential misunderstandings related to unit consistency, the application of integration, and the definitions of average and RMS values. There are unresolved questions about the derivation steps and their implications for average energy delivery.

dE_logics
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There's an attachment in this post, that show my attempts.


So how is it actually derived for a sinewave? And if possible please debug the PDF attached.

I'm sort getting the reasons for the derivation given in my book.


Thanks! :smile:
 
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I don't think anything is attached.
 
I don't see why this is in the physics section rather than the mathematics section- its purely a mathematics question.

If f(x) is any integrable function defined on the interval [a, b], then its "average value" is its integral from a to b divided by the length of the interval, b- a.

In particular, the average value of sin(x), on the interval \left[0, \pi\right] is
\frac{\int_0^\pi sin(x) dx}{\pi}= \frac{-cos(\pi)+ cos(0)}{\pi}= \frac{2}{\pi}.

The average value of sin(x), on the interval \left[\pi, 2\pi\right] is -2/\pi and, of course, the average value of sin(x) over a full perion, \left[0, 2\pi\right] is 0.
 
You find the average of an integrable function over an interval the same you find other averages, you sum and then divide. The function f tells us the weight of a sample point, x. This gives a total value of
\int_a^b f(x)dx
How many sample points are there?
\int_a^b dx
Thus the average of a function f(x) over the interval [a, b] is then
<br /> \frac{\int_a^bf(x)dx}{\int_a^bdx} = \frac{\int_a^bf(x)dx}{b - a}<br />
 
HallsofIvy said:
I don't see why this is in the physics section rather than the mathematics section- its purely a mathematics question.

It would have been a mathematics question if it had an ambiguity towards calculus; here calculus is used (without any problems in its application) and the real problem is with the derivation.



Why have you used the electrical angle?...I mean electrical angle looses out on information about time and the average value should be a function of time, ok not necessarily for v and i, but for P, it should return the wrong values, since P is itself a function of t. What will the mechanical angle give is average energy delivered per cycle, which will be independent of time.

I think I've done a very bad job conveying the above message.



Sorry for the missing attachment, I'll attach it now...
 

Attachments

The first thing, although it is not a mistake, is the integration. It is correct, but here is another way to do it.
<br /> \begin{equation*}<br /> \begin{split}<br /> \int_0^{\frac{T}{2}}P(t)dt &amp;= Ri_{max}^2\int_0^{\frac{T}{2}}\sin^2(\omega t)dt \\<br /> &amp;= Ri_{max}^2\left[\frac{T}{2}\left[\frac{1}{T}\int_0^{T}\sin^2(\omega t)dt\right]\right] \\<br /> &amp;= Ri_{max}^2\left[\frac{T}{2}\left[\frac{1}{2}\right]\right] \\<br /> &amp;= \frac{1}{4}Ri_{max}^2T \\<br /> \end{split}<br /> \end{equation*}<br />

The second thing is finding the average power. This is found by dividing the total energy delivered by the time period of operation.
<br /> \begin{equation*}\begin{split}<br /> P_{avg} &amp;= \left(\frac{1}{4}Ri_{max}^2T\right) / \left(\frac{T}{2}\right) \\<br /> &amp;= \frac{1}{2}Ri_{max}^2<br /> \end{split}\end{equation*}<br />
Notice that the units are correct. When in doubt, the fist thing to check is your units. The interpretation of this equation is the average energy delivered per unit time. The energy delivered in one second is
<br /> \left(\frac{1}{2}Ri_{max}^2\right)\cdot(1 sec)<br />
It's a little hard for me to understand exactly where you are trying to go with these things, but that might be enough to send you in the right direction.
 
derek e said:
The energy delivered in one second is
<br /> <br /> \left(\frac{1}{2}Ri_{max}^2\right)\cdot(1 sec)<br /> <br />

But (\frac{1}{2}Ri_{max}^2) is the energy delivered in T/2 seconds right?

So for one second it should be \frac{Ri _{max} ^2}{T} right? i.e a function of T, rest of it will get eliminated (just as done in the PDF).
 
The energy delivered from 0 seconds to T/2 seconds is the integral of the power from 0 to T/2.
 
:smile:

Yes I know.
 
  • #10
Your derivation gives the same thing as in my derivation in that PDF.
 
  • #11
I think I've realized the issue here, but under the operation of division of the integrated function, we will again get time but not in terms of SI units, it will be energy delivery per T/2 seconds; so it will mean the same thing even after realization of this point...I think.
 
  • #12
You are mixing time units, then.
 
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  • #13
:confused:

Can you please tell me where am I going wrong?

Appreciate the help. :smile:
 
  • #14
"... so the average energy delivered per unit time will be - [blah]"
This is correct. This is also the average power. Solve for i_{avg}.
 
  • #15
Ok suppose I take <br /> <br /> \left(\frac{1}{2}Ri_{max}^2\right)\cdot(1 sec)<br /> <br /> as correct, then it will return i_{max} \sqrt \frac{1}{2}...that is wrong.
 
  • #16
dE_logics said:
Ok suppose I take <br /> <br /> \left(\frac{1}{2}Ri_{max}^2\right)\cdot(1 sec)<br /> <br /> as correct, then it will return i_{max} \sqrt \frac{1}{2}...that is wrong.

It would help if you stated the problem exactly. Some useful relations are
<br /> \begin{equation*}\begin{split}<br /> P_{avg} &amp;= i_{rms}^2R \\<br /> i_{rms} &amp;= \sqrt{\frac{1}{T}\int_0^Ti^2(t)dt} \\<br /> \end{split}\end{equation*}<br />
I assume you are looking for i_{rms} since it looks like the last thing written in the pdf. If so, then
i_{rms} = \frac{i_{max}}{\sqrt{2}}
for a sinusoid. If not, then, again, it is hard for me to see exactly where you are trying to go with these things. For example, why use a half period?
 
  • #17
P_{avg} &amp;= i_{rms}^2R

:confused: :cry:


<br /> P_{avg} = v_{avg} i_{avg}<br />
<br /> P_{rms} = v_{rms} i_{rms}<br />

If

<br /> P_{avg} &amp;= i_{rms}^2R<br />

Then

v_{avg} i_{avg} = v_{rms} i_{rms}

Is this true?
 
  • #18
why use a half period?

Average value for the whole time period will be 0.
 
  • #19
The convention for the average power is to take rms values in circuit applications.
Also, are you talking about the integral of sin^2 being 0 over the period? :-p.
sin^2 is always positive, right? All the integration is doing is adding up positive numbers. Things can't cancel to give you zero. You must be thinking of integrating sin.
 
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  • #20
Oh.

So actually taking sin^2 means taking the RMS value.I'll trying without squaring it.

i.e using v*i formula.
 
Last edited:
  • #21
Still more chaos :rolleyes:

Attached the PDF.
 

Attachments

  • #22
dE_logics said:
Oh.

So actually taking sin^2 means taking the RMS value.


I'll trying without squaring it.

i.e using v*i formula.

I don't think you will get very far since V=iR. Taking the rms (root-mean-square) of a value means you perform the operations in the name in reverse order. So, you take a value, square it, find the mean of the squared value and then take the square root of the result. The final value is the rms.
 
  • #23
Yes, I realized that :-p thought the results are a bit different...good to see I got that figure atleast.

So what should I do?

In fact by this it has been proved that the average value = RMS value.


One more problem!
 
  • #24
Ok...so I have no other option but to leave this derivation.No problem...doesn't cost that much...7-8 mks at most.
 
  • #25
I think you need to slow down, reread what we have written, reread the problem statement and carefully think through it.
 

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