RLC Parallel Circuit: Analyzing Current & Voltage at t=0-

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around analyzing an RLC parallel circuit at the moment just before and after a current source is introduced at t=0. Participants are exploring the behavior of the inductor and capacitor, particularly focusing on the initial conditions of current and voltage.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial conditions of the circuit, questioning the voltage across the capacitor at t=0- and the implications for t=0+. There are attempts to apply Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) to analyze the circuit, and some participants express uncertainty about their methods and assumptions.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the initial values of voltage and current in the circuit. Some participants have provided hints and guidance regarding the relationships between the components, but no consensus has been reached on the interpretations of the initial conditions or the subsequent behavior of the circuit.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is a focus on understanding the implications of steady-state conditions prior to t=0 and the effects of introducing a current source.

jisbon
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Homework Statement
Find the desired currents and voltages for the circuit below.
Relevant Equations
-
1598619583802.png

1598619595419.png

These are my attempts at doing this question, and I was wondering if I am correct so far.
At t= 0-, i(L) will be 0A, since the capacitor acts as a open circuit.
However, I'm not sure why V(c) at t=0- will be -20V as given by the answers. Won't it be 0V?

Moving on, since current in inductor and voltage in capacitor does not change immediately, the values for t=0+ will be the same as t=0-. (Again, I'm not sure why it is -20V for the capacitor, could someone explain to me?)

I'm not sure how to proceed, but if it was me, I will probably transform the circuit? to:

1598619861097.png

Taking KVL on the left loop,
-80+20i1+ Vc+20=0 --(1)
Taking KVL on right loop,
-20-Vc+40iL+1/L (integerate voltage) -- (2)

I also know Vc = 1/C (integerate i1-iL)

Now the thing is am I making this more complicated than I should? or is this correct so far?
Thanks
 
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jisbon said:
I'm not sure why V(c) at t=0- will be -20V
The voltage source was connected in the circuit for a sufficiently long time. So the circuit was in steady state before the current source was switched at t=0.

You are right about the inductor current and capacitor voltage at t=0+.
Based on this conclusion, what can you say about VR at t=0+?
 
cnh1995 said:
The voltage source was connected in the circuit for a sufficiently long time. So the circuit was in steady state before the current source was switched at t=0.

You are right about the inductor current and capacitor voltage at t=0+.
Based on this conclusion, what can you say about VR at t=0+?
1598623772757.png

Regarding the voltage, what I do know (from theory is that)it will be a open circuit, but I'm still unclear why it is -20V in this case.As for the voltage ofthe resistor, won't i need to calculate what is the current running through it using the analysis I listed above? Or am I missing something?
 
jisbon said:
Regarding the voltage, what I do know (from theory is that)it will be a open circuit, but I'm still unclear why it is -20V in this case.
What is the potential difference across the capacitor at t=0-? You know there is no current through the capacitor. There is no current source in the circuit yet.
Apply KVL and compare it with the reference polarity.
Also, why have you replaced the inductor with a short circuit in your previous post?
 
jisbon said:
but if it was me, I will probably transform the circuit? to:
That would work if you want to find all of the asked quantities except VR and dVR/dt.
For finding VR and dVR/dt, you need to leave R the way it is, since it behaves differently when clubbed together with the transformed voltage source.
 
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cnh1995 said:
Also, why have you replaced the inductor with a short circuit in your previous post?
whoops, that was a mistake.

cnh1995 said:
That would work if you want to find all of the asked quantities except VR and dVR/dt.
For finding VR and dVR/dt, you need to leave R the way it is, since it behaves differently when clubbed together with the transformed voltage source.
so if I'm proceeding with the normal circuit, I would need to apply the usual nodal analysis, right?
 
jisbon said:
so if I'm proceeding with the normal circuit, I would need
Nodal analysis and differential equations would help to find the full response of the circuit. But you are particularly asked about the initial and final values of the response. So you can focus only on initial and final values separately in your analysis.

Initial values first:
You are right about the inductor current and capacitor voltage at t=0+.
When the current source is introduced in the circuit at t=0, the inductor current and capacitor voltage don't change at t=0+. But there is an additional current source in the circuit at t=0+.
Where will this current go at t=0+ ?
 
cnh1995 said:
Nodal analysis and differential equations would help to find the full response of the circuit. But you are particularly asked about the initial and final values of the response. So you can focus only on initial and final values separately in your analysis.

Initial values first:
You are right about the inductor current and capacitor voltage at t=0+.
When the current source is introduced in the circuit at t=0, the inductor current and capacitor voltage don't change at t=0+. But there is an additional current source in the circuit at t=0+.
Where will this current go at t=0+ ?
can I assume it goes to the resistor only?
Hence voltage of resistor at t=0+ = 80V?
However, the answers given to me stated that it is 0V :/
 
jisbon said:
Hence voltage of resistor at t=0+ = 80V?
No.
Hint: Voltage across the resistor is the sum of capacitor voltage and 20V source voltage.
You already know the capacitor voltage at t=0- and t=0+.
What does that tell you about the voltage across the resistor at t=0+?

Keep in mind the initial conditions of L and C that you already stated correctly. You need to use them to verify if your assumptions are correct.
 
  • #10
cnh1995 said:
No.
Hint: Voltage across the resistor is the sum of capacitor voltage and 20V source voltage.
You already know the capacitor voltage at t=0- and t=0+.
What does that tell you about the voltage across the resistor at t=0+?

Keep in mind the initial conditions of L and C that you already stated correctly. You need to use them to verify if your assumptions are correct.
Ah okay, since voltage across the resistor is the sum of capacitor voltage and 20V source voltage, and voltage at t=0+ of capacitor =-20V, -20+20=0V

As for di/dt at t=0+, I understand that v=L(di/dt). However in this case, will the voltage across the inductor be 0? (even though there is a 40 ohm resistor across the voltages of capacitor and 20V) and the inductor. I would assume so since the answer for di/dt across inductor turns out to be 0.

Also, thinking about dv/dt across capacitor and resistor,the answer turns out to be 4.
For capacitor, i=C(dv/dt). The question is, why will the current going through the capacitor be 4 in this case? Won't some of the current be distributed to the 20 ohm resistor?
 
  • #11
jisbon said:
Won't some of the current be distributed to the 20 ohm resistor?
Not at t=0+.
jisbon said:
since voltage across the resistor is the sum of capacitor voltage and 20V source voltage, and voltage at t=0+ of capacitor =-20V, -20+20=0V
 

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