Second Order RLC Circuit: Find DEQ & Circuit for Time t>0

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the differential equation (DEQ) and circuit behavior for a second-order RLC circuit for time t>0. Participants explore initial conditions, nodal equations, and the relationships between current and voltage in inductors and capacitors, with a focus on transient analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that at T=0-, the values for current and voltage in inductors and capacitors cannot change instantaneously, suggesting that values at 0- and 0+ should be the same.
  • Another participant argues that current can change instantaneously in a capacitor and voltage can change instantaneously in an inductor, leading to different initial conditions for Ic and iL.
  • There is a suggestion to use a nodal equation to avoid substitutions, with a focus on deriving all currents from a single equation.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the relationship between the inductor current and the voltage across it, questioning the integration of terms in their KCL equation.
  • Another participant notes that since the circuit is in parallel, VL should equal VC, which adds complexity to understanding the inductor current.
  • One participant revises their KCL equation to reflect the relationship between VL and VC, leading to a new expression for IL.
  • A later reply suggests using fundamental relationships for voltage and current to construct the node equation and solve the DE, while also mentioning the utility of Laplace Transforms for such problems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to clarify initial conditions and the relationships between circuit components, but there are competing views on the instantaneous changes in current and voltage, as well as the correct formulation of the equations involved. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to derive the DEQ.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the assumptions regarding instantaneous changes in circuit elements and the correct application of KCL. There are also unresolved mathematical steps in deriving the differential equation.

Roy Fokker
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Homework Statement


Find DEQ, circuit for time t>0.
upload_2015-10-4_21-32-37.png


Homework Equations


Ic= CdVc/dt
Vl=LdiL/dt

The Attempt at a Solution


At T=inf
L Short , C Open
IL(inf)=4mA, VL(inf)=0, Ic(inf)=0, Vc(inf)=0

T=0-

All at 0

T=0+
L=Open C=Short
IL(0+)=0, VL(0+)=0, Ic(0+)=4mA, Vc(0+)=0

20v=L diL/dt + Vc + iL5k

I need to make a sub for iL but I feel that I am wrong in my subbing in.
iL= Vc/2k + C dVc/dt

I keep wanting to just say iL=Vs/5k but I need to account for the transient effect of the cap charging and discharging... it just seems odd not to include R1 in iL since that's how I came up with it in the first place.
 
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Regarding your initial conditions, the values for the current and voltage of inductors and capacitors cannot change instantaneously (discontinuously), so the values at 0- are the same as the values at 0+ (but I haven't had a chance to look closely at your work yet).

Here's a hint to avoid substitutions: you can write one nodal equation and solve for that, and you can derive all of the currents using that.
 
Yes Vc(0-)=Vc(0+) and iL(0+)=iL(0-)

But can't current can change instantaneously in a capacitor and voltage can instantaneously change in an inductor.
I say this because the equations for Ic and Vl where the derivatives are time based so it would.. at T=0 be zero.
Ic(0-)=0ma because the circuit is not complete and no current flows.
Ic(0+)=4ma because the capacitor is seen as a short so all current flows here?
I got 4ma from 20v/2k = 4ma
 
Roy Fokker said:
Yes Vc(0-)=Vc(0+) and iL(0+)=iL(0-)

But can't current can change instantaneously in a capacitor and voltage can instantaneously change in an inductor.
I say this because the equations for Ic and Vl where the derivatives are time based so it would.. at T=0 be zero.
Ic(0-)=0ma because the circuit is not complete and no current flows.
Ic(0+)=4ma because the capacitor is seen as a short so all current flows here?
I got 4ma from 20v/2k = 4ma

The main focus really is on the initial conditions (voltage for capacitor, current for inductor).

What exactly are you trying to describe with the circuit? You say you want the differential equation, but the differential equation for what? I suggest the nodal equation method using the capacitor voltage, because it would allow you to find any other value of the circuit easily (and it only requires one equation).

You equations from what I can tell are incorrect. For instance, your expression for iL is a little off. Write Kirchoff's current law at that junction to see that you're missing a term (and a sign).
 
I suppose I have some freedom to solve the deq for what I want. I guess i can leave it in the form of Vs= d^2/dt(x) + d/dt(y) +c
Ok so I am going over my equations and looking at the node equations as you suggested.

KCL

I1=I2+I3+I4

(20-VL)/5k = LdiL/dt + CdVc/dt + Vc/ 2k

**Kinda confused here** since LdiL/dt = VL
Can I just integrate all this? I am sure I am making this more difficult that it has to be..
But I know IL... will be ... (20-VL)/5k

Then

iL=Vc/2k + CdVc/dt + (20-VL)/5k

Man I really need to get working with latex :)
 
Roy Fokker said:
But I know IL... will be ... (20-VL)/5k

Why?

Also, notice in your KCL equation, the first term on the right side is the voltage across the inductor (not the current through it). Also notice that VL = VC.
 
I was just staring at the same thing... Totally not right.
I am looking at it from a steady state point of view.

I see that since this is all in parallel I could say VL=VC.
The inductor current is confusing me since it has no resistance. All I can see to do is integrate?

Integral VL/L and that would be the current I2?

Or I could just leave it as IL and make substitutions for VC = VL
 
Last edited:
Ok so I did some fixin.

(20-VL)/5k = IL + CdVc/dt + Vc/ 2k

since VC = VL

(20-VL)/5k = IL + CdVL/dt + VL/ 2k

in the end...

IL= -d^2IL/dt (LC) - dIL/dt (L 700m) + 4m
 
My instinct would be to go after the node voltage as was previously suggested. With that, all the other currents can be found in a straightforward manner.

Use the fundamental relationships for voltage and current for the reactive components to construct your node equation, solve the DE, then determine the individual currents:

##v_C = \frac{1}{C} \int{i_C dt}##

##i_C = C \frac{dv_C}{dt}##

##v_L = L \frac{di_L}{dt}##

##i_L = \frac{1}{L} \int{v_L dt}##

(An aside: You'll be really happy to know that when you've covered Laplace Transforms, solving this sort of problem becomes almost trivial :smile:)
 

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