Solving for Phasor to Complex Units in a Circuit: V21, V13, V34, V24 Calculation

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of voltages in a circuit using phasor and complex number representations. Participants are working through a homework problem involving the voltages V21, V13, V34, and V24, with a focus on converting phasors to complex numbers and applying circuit analysis techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about converting phasors to complex numbers and attempts to apply trigonometric identities.
  • Another participant provides a method for converting phasors using Euler's identity and suggests ensuring the calculator is set to degrees.
  • Several participants calculate V13, V21, V34, and V24 using different approaches, with some providing complex number forms and others using polar forms.
  • There is a discussion about the relationship between V21 and V12, with a participant noting that V21 should equal -V12.
  • Participants explore the implications of voltage polarities and the convention for calculating potential differences in the circuit.
  • One participant questions the use of the Pythagorean theorem for calculating voltages, indicating confusion about the correct approach.
  • Another participant suggests creating a circuit diagram to clarify the relationships between voltages and their polarities.
  • There are multiple attempts to derive V34, with some participants expressing uncertainty about the correct method and direction of potential changes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct methods for calculating the voltages, and there are multiple competing views and approaches presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some calculations are based on assumptions about voltage polarities and the conventions used in circuit analysis. There is also uncertainty regarding the application of the Pythagorean theorem in this context.

DODGEVIPER13
Messages
668
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Several of the voltages associated with a certain circuit are given by V12=9∠30° V, V32=3∠132° V, V14=2∠10° V. Determine V21, V13, V34, and V24.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I am just using this problem as an example as I have no idea how to go from phasor to complex. So V13=V12+V32=9∠30°+3∠132°=? I don't really know here I can only imagine Magnitude*cos(θ)=Real and Magnitude*sin(θ)=imaginary I know this but how do I ultilize these beacuse everything I have done does not work?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your first example is magnitude 9, phase angle 30 degrees. So the complex number is 9 x [cos(30) + j sin(30)]; this is what you have proposed. Make sure your calculator/computer is set to degrees, or else convert them to radians.

The alternative expression (in radians) may be more useful: use the Euler identity and write it as
9 exp(j*30/360*2pi).Here is an example: http://people.clarkson.edu/~jsvoboda/eta/phasors/AddPhasors10.html
 
Ok thanks man
 
hey for V13 I get 5.865+j6.798 V
 
back in phasor I get 8.978∠49.21°
 
V21=V32+V13=3.936+j9.096
 
V34=V13+V14=7.834+j7.145 and V24=V32+V34=5.906+j9.443
 
DODGEVIPER13 said:
V21=V32+V13=3.936+j9.096

As a reality check, note that you are given a value for V12. Shouldn't V21 = -V12?
 
oh heh so it should be V21=-9∠30° V
 
  • #10
Also are the rest of my answers correct?
 
  • #11
DODGEVIPER13 said:
oh heh so it should be V21=-9∠30° V

Right. So if the method you employed previously doesn't result in that value, something may be amiss with your method. Better check into that.

Note that it's common practice to roll the "negative" into the angle in order to leave the magnitude positive. Add + or - 180° to the angle.
 
  • #12
To keep things straight I'd suggest creating a little circuit fragment containing the "known" points and their given potential differences. Something like:

attachment.php?attachmentid=61989&stc=1&d=1379638976.gif


The voltage supply polarities reflect the subscript convention, namely Vab would be the potential at a with respect to b, so that by convention a is where your meter's "+" lead would go and b would be where the "-" lead would go, if you were to make the measurement Vab. The actual values assigned to the supplies may be positive or negative depending upon what you're given.

Then, to find any potential difference between points, perform the "KVL walk" between them and sum the potential changes.
 

Attachments

  • Fig1.gif
    Fig1.gif
    1.2 KB · Views: 568
  • #13
so for V13=V12+V32
 
  • #14
DODGEVIPER13 said:
so for V13=V12+V32

By convention V13 would be the potential at 1 with respect to 3. So start at 3 and "walk" to 1. Pay attention to the polarities of the sources along the way.
 
  • #15
Ahhh woops V13=V12-V32
 
  • #16
V34=sqrt((V14)^2+(V32)^2+(V12)^2) right?
 
  • #17
or should it be V34=sqrt(-(V14)^2+(V32)^2+(V12)^2)
 
  • #18
hmmmmmmm V31=V32-V12 so that V34=V31-V41
 
  • #19
DODGEVIPER13 said:
V34=sqrt((V14)^2+(V32)^2+(V12)^2) right?

What are you trying to accomplish? The individual voltages are in complex form and you can sum them by summing their real and imaginary components separately.

If you want the magnitude of the result, then do the square root of the sum of the squares of its components.
 
  • #20
so I solved V13=9.801+j2.271
 
  • #21
I was trying to use Pythagorean Theorem which I know is incorrect sorry
 
  • #22
did you read my new post after that is that close to how to solve for V34
 
  • #23
more specifically post #18
 
  • #24
DODGEVIPER13 said:
did you read my new post after that is that close to how to solve for V34

DODGEVIPER13 said:
more specifically post #18

I think you're still tripping over the directions of the potential changes. If you calculate a new potential difference, like V31, add a new branch to the diagram with the appropriate label and source direction. You can just use arrows to indicate polarity if the diagram starts getting too cluttered.

attachment.php?attachmentid=61991&stc=1&d=1379645184.gif


So for V34 you would start at V4 and walk through +V14 and +V31, right?
 

Attachments

  • Fig1.gif
    Fig1.gif
    1.5 KB · Views: 548
  • #25
ok well V31=V32-V12=-9.801-j2.271
 
  • #26
then V34=V14+V31
 
  • #27
-7.831-j1.923=V34 hopefully?
 
  • #28
DODGEVIPER13 said:
-7.831-j1.923=V34 hopefully?

That looks okay.
 
  • #29
V24=-V12+v14 = -5.824-j4.152
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K