Transient Response RLC: Calculating Vc(t) for a Series Circuit | 9121 Problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on deriving the voltage across the capacitor, Vc(t), in a series RLC circuit with an initial voltage of zero that rises to five volts at t = 0. The parameters used include an inductor value of 120 µH, a capacitor value of 0.01 µF, and a resistor of 33 Ω, leading to an under-damped response. The calculated expression for Vc(t) is derived, but the simulation in Multisim initially showed discrepancies with a peak voltage of 8.5V compared to the calculated lower peak. Adjustments to the simulation's time step size resolved the issue, aligning the simulation results with the calculated model. The discussion highlights the importance of careful parameter settings in circuit simulations for accurate transient analysis.
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9121. Problem
circuit-jpg.107526.jpg

If we assume that the initial voltage, Vs, is equal to zero, and it rises to five volts at t = 0, derive an expression for the voltage across the capacitor as a function of time. That is, calculate Vc(t)

2. Homework Equations
formulas-jpg.107528.jpg

this is a series RLC so I'm trying to calculate for Vc(t). Also I used α=R/2L

3. Attempt at solving
L= 120 *10^-6 H
C=0.01 *10^-6 F
R= 33 Ω
ωo=1/√(120*.01*10^-12)=912,870
α=33/(2*120*10^-6)= 137,500
α<ωo ∴ this is under-damped
ωd=√(912,870^2 - 137,500^2)=902,456
D1=(0-5)V... because voltage across capacitor at t=0 is 0V
D2=(0 + 137500[0 - 5])/902456= -0.7618... the current and the voltage through the capacitor at t=0 are both zero, because the inductor does not allow the current to change instantaneously.
With this I built my Total
Vc(t) = e^(-137500t)*(-5cos(902456t) - .7618sin(902456t)) + 5

I then simulated the circuit in Multisim with a square wave voltage source of 0 to 5 V.
the transient analysis shows that when the voltage source goes from 0 to 5V the peak voltage at the capacitor goes up to about 8.5V Here is the plot, and a zoom into the first pulse.
vc-png.107529.png


vczoom-png.107533.png


The red is the Source voltage and the blue is the capacitor voltage.
when I plot my Vc(t) it does not resemble this, it gives a lower peak capacitor voltage, Did i mess up in some of the parameters?? Am I missing something?
graph-png.107532.png


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Your calculated plot looks fine to me. I'd be more dubious abut the Multisim accuracy. Simulators are great tools but you need to be a bit careful with them when dealing with high speed transients. See if you can find a simulator menu where you can specify the maximum simulation time step size and play with the value a bit. See what effect it has on the waveform peaks.
 
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gneill said:
Your calculated plot looks fine to me. I'd be more dubious abut the Multisim accuracy. Simulators are great tools but you need to be a bit careful with them when dealing with high speed transients. See if you can find a simulator menu where you can specify the maximum simulation time step size and play with the value a bit. See what effect it has on the waveform peaks.
Ah yes. I adjusted my time step size and re-simulated now it's pretty much identical to my model. Thanks qneill
 

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