What is a Phasor? Explanation & Definition

  • Thread starter Thread starter azolotor
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Phasor
AI Thread Summary
A phasor is a rotating vector used to represent the phase differences of alternating current or voltages, allowing for easier calculations. In most applications, one can treat phasors like ordinary vectors without focusing on their rotation. The concept stems from the idea that a sinewave can be visualized as the projection of a rotating vector onto a specific axis. Understanding phasors simplifies the analysis of AC circuits and their components. This explanation clarifies the role of phasors in electrical engineering contexts.
azolotor
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Could someone please give me an explanation of what we mean we say phasor please. We went over phasors in class today and I understood all the manipulations we were doing for superposition but my professor mentioned phasors and never said what they were. I have looked up several definitions but it isn't gelling for me. Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
azolotor said:
Could someone please give me an explanation of what we mean we say phasor please. We went over phasors in class today and I understood all the manipulations we were doing for superposition but my professor mentioned phasors and never said what they were. I have looked up several definitions but it isn't gelling for me. Thanks in advance!
Was he talking about Star Trek or electricity?

Phasors are vectors drawn in a circle to represent the phase differences of alternating current or voltages so that values can be calculated.

AM
 
azolotor said:
Could someone please give me an explanation of what we mean we say phasor please.
A phasor is a rotating vector. In 99.9% of your course of study you can neglect the fact that they rotate; just manipulate them like ordinary vectors. They rotate because a sinewave can be represented by the projection of a rotating vector onto a chosen axis.
 
Thanks so much! Much clearer now.
 
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'

Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'

TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
View full post »
Thread 'Correct statement about a reservoir with an outlet pipe'

Thread 'Correct statement about a reservoir with an outlet pipe'

The answer to this question is statements (ii) and (iv) are correct. (i) This is FALSE because the speed of water in the tap is greater than speed at the water surface (ii) I don't even understand this statement. What does the "seal" part have to do with water flowing out? Won't the water still flow out through the tap until the tank is empty whether the reservoir is sealed or not? (iii) In my opinion, this statement would be correct. Increasing the gravitational potential energy of the...
View full post »

Similar threads

Question about Intuition of Inductor
Replies
5
Views
2K
What is ##Tds## in this equation : ##dU = Tds - PdV##
Replies
14
Views
2K
Experiment - how temperature changes along a tube, using heaters
Replies
14
Views
2K
Solving for Displacement: 9.8m or 36m?
Replies
6
Views
1K
Going from phasor form to instantaneous time sinusoidal functions
Replies
3
Views
12K
Having a hard time learning Newton's 2nd law
Replies
5
Views
2K
B How can scalars like voltage, impedance, etc. be added like vectors?
Replies
17
Views
2K
Equilibrium Position of a Hanging Candy Cane
Replies
17
Views
961
I What Are Common Misconceptions About the Dirac Delta Function?
Replies
25
Views
3K
Complex representation of a wave
Replies
4
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top