LC circuit with variable capacitor

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the analysis of an LC circuit with a fixed inductance of 42 mH and a variable capacitor, aiming to determine safe operational frequencies and capacitance values. The maximum current is 31 mA, and the capacitor's voltage limit is 50 V. The calculations reveal that the minimum capacitance required is 16 nF, which aligns with the energy balance equation. However, the maximum frequency of operation, calculated using the minimum capacitance, should yield 6.1 kHz, contradicting the initial calculation of 5717.2 Hz.

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Homework Statement


An oscillating LC circuit is designed to operate with a maximum current of 31 mA. The inductance is fixed at 42 mH, and the frequency is changed by means of a variable capacitor C. (a) If the highest voltage that the capacitor can handle is 50 V, can the circuit be operated safely at the frequency of 1.0 MHz? (b) What is the highest frequency of operation that doesn't damage the capacitor? (c) What is the minimum capacitance?

Homework Equations


Oscillatory frequency of an LC circuit:
\nu = \frac{1}{2\pi} \sqrt{\frac{1}{LC}}

The Attempt at a Solution


The maximum magnetic energy stored in the inductor is Li²/2, where i is the maximum current. This is equal in value to the maximum electric energy that will be stored in the capacitor, therefore Li²/2 = CV²/2.
Since the maximum current is 0.031 A, the maximum magnetic energy stored in the inductor is Li²/2 = (0.042)(0.031)²/2 = 0.000020181 = 20.181 μJ. Since the maximum voltage is 50 V, the minimum capacitance is given by CV²/2 = Li²/2, so C(50)²/2 = 0.000020181. This gives 16 nF, which is correct, according to the book.
My problem here is to find the maximum frequency. Frequency is given by:
\nu = \frac{1}{2\pi} \sqrt{\frac{1}{LC}}
The maximum frequency should be the value above when C is the value of the minimum capacitance; this gives 5717.2 Hz. But the answer in the back of the book is 6.1 kHz.

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hello. Recheck you calculation of the frequency. If I use 16 nF and .042 H, I get 6.1 kHz.
 

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