Instantaneous value of sinusoidal voltage

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around deducing various values from the instantaneous value of a sinusoidal voltage, specifically the equation v = 50cos(100*pi*t - (pi/3)). Participants explore concepts such as peak to peak value, RMS value, average value, and the period of the waveform.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks sources to calculate values from the sinusoidal voltage equation.
  • Another participant provides information about RMS values in residential settings, stating that 220V is the RMS value, leading to a peak value of approximately 311V and a peak to peak value of 622V.
  • There is a mention of the relationship between peak value and RMS value, with formulas provided for calculating peak and peak to peak values.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the average value (Von) of the AC voltage, suggesting it might be zero.
  • One participant calculates the period of the waveform based on the given frequency, concluding it to be 0.02 seconds.
  • Another participant confirms that the average value of the sinusoidal function is zero unless a DC component is added.
  • There is confusion regarding the term "Von," which is later clarified to be "Vav" for average voltage.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the calculations for peak and RMS values, but there is uncertainty regarding the average value of the sinusoidal voltage and the terminology used. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific meaning of "Von."

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific values and relationships without providing detailed derivations, and there is a reliance on definitions that may not be universally understood. The term "Von" is not clearly defined, leading to confusion.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals seeking to understand sinusoidal voltage characteristics and calculations in electrical engineering or physics contexts.

eximius
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I'm just looking for some sources that would help me deduce values from the instantaneous value of a sinusoidal voltage. For example I have a question that states it as:

v = 50cos(100*pi*t - (pi/3))

I just need some material to help me deduce things such as the following:

* the peak to peak value of v (with two "^" on top)
* the RMS value of v
* mean or average value Von
* the period T

etc

Thanks.
 
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Dear eximius,
Normally we receive 220Volts in the residence. Here 220V is the RMS(Root Mean Square) value. Approximately 311Volts peak value and 622Volts peak to peak value.
Peak Value(in volts) = RMS value(in volts) x square root of 2.
Peak to Peak Value(in volts) = 2 X Peak Value(in volts)

Example:
Peak Value(in volts) = 220V x 1.414 = 311V
Peak to Peak Value(in volts) = 2 x 311 = 622V
Our Voltmeter reads RMS value. Therefore we are getting 220V on voltmeter.

And about period, we are getting normally 50Hz frequency in residence. This means total 50 cycles of alternate waves in one second.
Period of one wave will be = 1/50 = 0.02 Seconds
 
eximius said:
I'm just looking for some sources that would help me deduce values from the instantaneous value of a sinusoidal voltage. For example I have a question that states it as:

v = 50cos(100*pi*t - (pi/3))

I just need some material to help me deduce things such as the following:

* the peak to peak value of v (with two "^" on top)
* the RMS value of v
* mean or average value Von
* the period T

etc

Thanks.

This wikipedia page starts right off with the answers to your questions! Pretty neat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinusoid

Now can you tell us the answers to those questions?
 
Thanks for the help guys. Not checking wikipedia was just plain stupid of me. But please don't think I was simply being lazy and asking, I had already checked a book I have which is meant to be specific to the course... and searched google quite a bit. I only asked because I hadn't managed to find the answers.

Vpeak = 50 V ,because the 50 is equal to A, which is the amplitude
Vp2p = 100 V ,because amplitude x 2
Vrms = 35.36 V ,because Vpeak = RMS x 2^0.5
Von = unsure about this one, don't know what it is really, the average of the AC voltage would be zero but I don't see how this would help
T =

ω = 2*pi*f
ω = 100*pi
.:. 100*pi = 2*pi*f
f = 50 Hz

T = 1/f
T = 1/50
T = 0.02s

Sorry for turning this into a sort of question thread, seems to be in the wrong forum now. If a mod feels that this is the case, could they please move it to the correct forum.
 
eximius said:
Thanks for the help guys. Not checking wikipedia was just plain stupid of me. But please don't think I was simply being lazy and asking, I had already checked a book I have which is meant to be specific to the course... and searched google quite a bit. I only asked because I hadn't managed to find the answers.

Vpeak = 50 V ,because the 50 is equal to A, which is the amplitude
Vp2p = 100 V ,because amplitude x 2
Vrms = 35.36 V ,because Vpeak = RMS x 2^0.5
Von = unsure about this one, don't know what it is really, the average of the AC voltage would be zero but I don't see how this would help
T =

ω = 2*pi*f
ω = 100*pi
.:. 100*pi = 2*pi*f
f = 50 Hz

T = 1/f
T = 1/50
T = 0.02s

Sorry for turning this into a sort of question thread, seems to be in the wrong forum now. If a mod feels that this is the case, could they please move it to the correct forum.

Looks good to me. And yes, the average value of that sinusoid is zero. It would be possible to add a DC term to it, in which case the average would not be zero:

v(t) = Vo + Acos(wt)

I'll go ahead and move this thread to the HH/Engineering forum. Good job!
 
Thanks again. But what exactly is Von? Not exactly an easy term to google seeing as I only get german results... :P

Edit: Oops. Just checked the digital version rather than the photocopied version I have. It's Vav not Von. Makes much more sense now.

Can't thank you guys enough. The help was very much appreciated.
 
eximius said:
Thanks again. But what exactly is Von? Not exactly an easy term to google seeing as I only get german results... :P

I don't know, actually. I've never seen that term used for an average value. Is it really shown as Von, or some other way? Is "on" two letters in the subscript? I'd guess the "n" is for nominal, and maybe Vo is the output voltage or something?
 

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