Plotting a RLC Circuit: Analyzing a Differential Equation

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The discussion centers on understanding the differential equation governing an RLC circuit, specifically how to plot current for a presentation. The equation provided includes terms for resistance, inductive reactance, and capacitive reactance, which must all be considered when analyzing the circuit's behavior. It clarifies that the symbols I_p and V_p represent peak values, not RMS values, and emphasizes the need to convert frequency from kilohertz to radians per second by multiplying by 2π. The conversation also touches on the use of imaginary values in the analysis, indicating that while they are important for a complete understanding, the focus may initially be on the real components. Overall, a solid grasp of both real and imaginary components is essential for accurately analyzing the circuit's dynamics.
rmiller70015
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I'm not sure about the physical behavior of a RLC circuit and I have to give a presentation that involves one. So I've decided to plot the current. I found a book that gives a differential equation to describe the circuit.

##L\frac{d^2i}{dt^2} + R\frac{di}{dt} + \frac{1}{C}i = \frac{dv}{dt}##

So I had some questions about this equation and the notation.

First of all, the book says ##i=\vec{I} = I_pe^{j\omega t}## and ##v = \vec{V} = V_pe^{j\omega t}##. Are the ##I_p## and ##V_p## the rms current and voltage?

Also, they use R as resistance, but should I also include the impedance due to the capacitor and the inductor here in addition to the resistance of the resistor? If so, how should I treat the resistance since I'm not aware of a way to express it as a non-real value.

Finally, if I am driving this with a frequency generator set at 277 kHz, should this value be ##\omega## or would I need to multiply this by ##2\pi##?
 
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Here's a series RLC circuit connected to an ac voltage source. I normally use Vrms cos (wt) as a voltage source rather than the exponential form.

upload_2017-4-14_23-40-18.png


A more fundamental equation would be:

upload_2017-4-14_23-41-21.png


Frequency is in hertz or kilohertz so

upload_2017-4-14_23-43-10.png


I'm not sure what your comment means about the resistance and the non-real value. If I understand what you are asking, yes, you need to include the three impedances - the resistance, the inductive reactance and the capacitive reactance. The last two quantities include w(omega) in their calculation, so you will need to multiply the frequency by 2*pi.
 
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The impedance due to the inductor and capacitor appear to be the same quantity as the reactances but with a multiple of ##\sqrt{-1}##. So I wasn't sure if what to do with the equation since the book wanted to use imaginary values in the current as well as the real values. But it appears that you are only looking at the real portion, is there any reason why you omitted the imaginary part, is it just extra stuff that isn't necessary to understanding the behavior?
 
I didn't mean to ignore the imaginary impedances. I was just trying to show you where the differential equation came from. What I posted follows the serices circuit that I gave you. If you are doing a steady-state rms calculation, you'll need R plus the next two. Here they are:

upload_2017-4-15_0-37-14.png


upload_2017-4-15_0-37-31.png
 
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rmiller70015 said:
First of all, the book says i=⃗I=Ipejωti=\vec{I} = I_pe^{j\omega t} and v=⃗V=Vpejωtv = \vec{V} = V_pe^{j\omega t}. Are the IpI_p and VpV_p the rms current and voltage?
No, they represent the amplitude (the peak value).
 
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