Natural response and step response

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the concepts of natural response and step response in electrical circuits. A natural response occurs when a circuit, such as one with a current source in parallel with an inductor, resistor, and capacitor, discharges over time, leading to voltage and current approaching zero. In contrast, a step response is triggered by a sudden change, such as a switch being activated, which causes the circuit to charge the inductors and capacitors until they reach a steady state. The presence of nonzero initial conditions indicates a natural response, while a step response is characterized by the application of a new voltage or current source.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of circuit components: inductors, capacitors, and resistors
  • Knowledge of circuit response types: natural response and step response
  • Familiarity with initial conditions in electrical circuits
  • Basic principles of voltage and current behavior in circuits
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical modeling of natural response in RLC circuits
  • Learn about the Laplace Transform for analyzing step responses
  • Explore simulation tools like LTspice for visualizing circuit responses
  • Investigate the effects of initial conditions on circuit behavior
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineering students, circuit designers, and anyone interested in understanding transient responses in electrical circuits.

2slowtogofast
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ok i need some clarification if you have a circuit where a current source is in parallel with an inductor a resistor and a capacitor is this considered a natural response or a step response. I guess i thought a step response is if a switch is switched and a source is added then it is a step response not if it was there the whole time.
 
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Not sure what a "natural response" is... Perhaps it means the steady-state behavior since "step response" is pretty much what you describe: how the circuit behaves when a sudden change in voltage or current is applied.
 
2slowtogofast said:
ok i need some clarification if you have a circuit where a current source is in parallel with an inductor a resistor and a capacitor is this considered a natural response or a step response.
Neither. It's just considered a circuit.

If the current source contains a step then there will be a step response. If there are nonzero initial conditions then there will be a natural response.
 
natural response means the a capacitor/inductor is discharging such that after a long time, the voltage and currents approaches 0

step response is when a source will try to charge the inductors capacitors such that after a long time, the capacitors/inductors connected will be charged. if the capacitors/inductors have high initial voltage/current than what the source has to offer they can discharge until it reaches a steady charged state with a lower voltage/current. please correct me, this is how i understand step and natural response
 

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