How to Determine Various Waveform Parameters from a Graph?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining various parameters of a waveform from a provided graph, including period, frequency, peak amplitude, peak-to-peak amplitude, voltage offset, phase angle, signal equation, and rms voltage. The context is primarily homework-related, focusing on interpreting graphical data and applying relevant equations.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the period can be determined by measuring the distance between peaks and dividing the number of waves by the time on the x-axis, estimating a value of T=7.143.
  • Another participant challenges the peak amplitude value of 0.5, stating it is incorrect, but later agrees that it is correct according to the terminology used in the OP's diagram.
  • There is uncertainty regarding the voltage offset, with one participant asking if there is a formula to find it, while another suggests it can be eyeballed.
  • Participants express uncertainty about how to find the phase angle, with suggestions that it can also be eyeballed.
  • Discussion includes a note that the rms voltage of a sine wave may require prior knowledge or derivation through calculus, and that understanding the relationship with voltage offset is necessary.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on several values, particularly the peak amplitude and how to determine the voltage offset and phase angle. Multiple competing views remain on the methods to derive these parameters.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the correct approach to calculating the period and frequency, indicating a potential confusion between the two. There are also limitations in the clarity of the waveform data and the assumptions made about the graphical representation.

jdawg
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Homework Statement


Given the wave form, determine the period, frequency, peak amplitude, peak to peak amplitude, voltage offset, phase angle, signal equation, rms voltage.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



Hi! So the main issue I'm having with this problem is reading the values I need from this graph. I uploaded a picture of the wave and a helpful diagram of a sine wave that define what all the values I need are.

I know that the period is the distance between the peaks of the wave. I've seen some people divide the number of waves in the graph by the amount of time on the x-axis of the graph. So for this case T=7/(50x10-6 = 7.143, which by eye-balling it it seems to be close.

For the peak amplitude, I think it is 0.5.

The peak to peak amplitude, I think it is 0.6

The voltage offset, I don't know how to find. Is there some sort of formula I'm missing?

I don't know how to find the phase angle.

The signal equation and rms voltage should be easy to find after I have all the other values.

Thank you for any help.
 

Attachments

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jdawg said:
For the peak amplitude, I think it is 0.5.
No.
jdawg said:
The voltage offset, I don't know how to find. Is there some sort of formula I'm missing?
See the waveform carefully. What are the peak and valley points on the waveform?
 
jdawg said:

Homework Statement


Given the wave form, determine the period, frequency, peak amplitude, peak to peak amplitude, voltage offset, phase angle, signal equation, rms voltage.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



Hi! So the main issue I'm having with this problem is reading the values I need from this graph. I uploaded a picture of the wave and a helpful diagram of a sine wave that define what all the values I need are.

I know that the period is the distance between the peaks of the wave. I've seen some people divide the number of waves in the graph by the amount of time on the x-axis of the graph. So for this case T=7/(50x10-6 = 7.143, which by eye-balling it it seems to be close.

For the peak amplitude, I think it is 0.5.

The peak to peak amplitude, I think it is 0.6

The voltage offset, I don't know how to find. Is there some sort of formula I'm missing?

I don't know how to find the phase angle.

The signal equation and rms voltage should be easy to find after I have all the other values.

Thank you for any help.
The first step is to write down the general form of the equation you are trying to fit to the data. This is missing from your Relevant Equations.
 
cnh1995 said:
jdawg said:
For the peak amplitude, I think it is 0.5.
No.
Actually, using the terminology of the OP's second attachment, that was correct; the peak amplitude is 0.5 V. "Peak amplitude" here is not to be confused with "signal amplitude."

@jdawg, don't forget your units.

jdawg said:
I know that the period is the distance between the peaks of the wave. I've seen some people divide the number of waves in the graph by the amount of time on the x-axis of the graph. So for this case T=7/(50x10-6 = 7.143, which by eye-balling it it seems to be close.
[Edit: Be careful what you are doing here. Are you calculating the period or the frequency? They are inverses of each other. So once you find one it's easy to find the other. Just make sure you don't confuse the two.]
For the peak amplitude, I think it is 0.5.
As mentioned above, I agree.
The peak to peak amplitude, I think it is 0.6
That looks right to me. Again though, don't forget your units.
The voltage offset, I don't know how to find. Is there some sort of formula I'm missing?
It is possible to quantify this with a formula, but for this exercise you can eyeball it.
I don't know how to find the phase angle.
It is possible to quantify this with a formula, but again, for this exercise you can eyeball it. [Edit: it will be somewhere between 0 and 360o if you represent it in degrees, or it will be between 0 and 2 \pi if you represent it in units of radians. Either way, you should be able to eyeball it for this exercise.]
The signal equation and rms voltage should be easy to find after I have all the other values.
The rms voltage of a sine wave either requires prior knowledge about rms voltage of sine waves, or you can derive it yourself with calculus. You'll also need to know how the voltage offset fits into the overall rms voltage (or find it yourself with calculus). The easiest way is to look up these relationships in your coursework.
 
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