RLC Circuit - Voltage drop across Inductor

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the voltage drop across an inductor in an RLC circuit with a given capacitor and inductor connected to a 60 Hz source. The correct approach involves using the formula I = V/Z to find the current and then applying pd = I*XL to determine the voltage across the inductor. It is emphasized that the voltages across the inductor and capacitor are out of phase, which affects how they relate to the source voltage. The misunderstanding arose from incorrectly attempting to use I*XC instead of the correct formula. The clarification highlights that the voltage drop across the inductor can exceed the source voltage due to the phase relationship.
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Homework Statement



A 10 μF capacitor and a 25 H inductor are connected in series with a 60 Hz source whose rms output is 112 V.

Find the voltage drop across the inductor. Answer in units of V.
Note: Sigfigs do not matter

Homework Equations



I = V/Z where Z is the impedence

XL = omega*L
XC = 1/omega*C

The Attempt at a Solution



I assumed the closed circuit was connected thus: battery to the capacitor, the capacitor to the inductor, the inductor to the battery.

I found the current using equation I = V/Z (the answer was correct)

I found the voltage drop across the capacitor by the equation V - I*XL = \DeltaV (the answer was correct)

For the voltage drop across the inductor I tried I*XC - V. The answer is incorrect.

Could anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?
 
Last edited:
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The voltage across the inductor leads the current by pi/2.
The voltage across the capacitor lags the current by pi/2.

So the voltages are in antiphase, and it is the difference between them
(not the sum) which is equal to the source voltage.

But having found the current, you can simply apply pd = I*XL to get the
voltage across the inductor.
 
Last edited:
davieddy said:
So the voltages are in antiphase, and it is the difference between them
(not the sum) which is equal to the source voltage.
Thank you, this explains a lot. My answer would have been "pd = I*XL" but I thought it didn't make sense since it was greater than the source voltage.
 
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