Why capacitors and inductors affect the phase and resistors

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of capacitors and inductors on the phase of current and voltage in AC circuits, contrasting these effects with the behavior of resistors. Participants explore the underlying physical mechanisms, the concept of electrical inertia, and the implications of these components in circuit behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that capacitors resist voltage changes and inductors resist current changes, while resistors do not resist changes imposed by the source.
  • One participant expresses a desire to understand the physical mechanisms behind the phase changes, suggesting that electrical inertia plays a role.
  • Another participant describes how capacitors and inductors act as temporary sources that can create phase differences with the original source.
  • There is a discussion about the concept of 'inertia' related to the built-up charge in capacitors and magnetic fields in inductors, with questions about how these elements react during different phases of AC voltage.
  • Some participants emphasize the importance of understanding capacitance and inductance to grasp why these components behave as they do in circuits.
  • A few participants express frustration with the reliance on mathematical explanations, seeking simpler, more intuitive understandings of the concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the basic roles of capacitors and inductors in affecting phase and current but express differing views on the clarity and sufficiency of mathematical explanations versus physical intuition. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best way to convey these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some participants indicate limitations in their understanding of how capacitance and inductance work together to produce electrical reactance, suggesting a need for further exploration of these concepts in the context of AC circuits.

  • #31
Drakkith said:
Look, you can spend all day going back and forth here on the forums, but in the end the only way you'll understand why voltage and current lag in an AC circuit is to look into reactance, inductance, and capacitance. You'll find PF to be of much more use to you if you do this on your own and then come back with specific questions. It's very difficult to teach someone about broad topics like this using a forum. There's simply no substitute for a good textbook on the topic.
Yes. There is no substitute for some serious work on your own, sorting out your own difficulties, step by step, rather than demanding help at every hurdle, as it arose. People did pretty well when there was no Internet with an endless supply of people prepared to answer every question. They used to read books and papers and things and, perhaps once week (if they were lucky) they went to a tutorial. People used to get degrees and doctorates that way. Amazing'.
 
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  • #32
physior said:
The first link in google mentions many books:
Questionable link removed by mentor

This is a genuinely AWFUL reference. The guy himself admits he doesn't understand things very well, and then he goes on to demonstrate exactly that.

Ya think maybe his statement "I have gone beyond some of the predictions of Einstein, Hawking, and others and made some of my own predictions." is a clue to his reliability?
 
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  • #33
I left this thread for a while and major things happened

you didn't like my link? do you still doubt there are simple explanations to things like relativity?

com'on there's even a complete idiot's guide!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1592571859/?tag=pfamazon01-20

will you delete that link too as unrealiable?
 
  • #34
physior said:
you didn't like my link? do you still doubt there are simple explanations to things like relativity?

It's not that there aren't simple explanations, it's that you linked to a very poor source of information. The explanations given in that link are simply not very good if you're looking to learn real physics.

physior said:
com'on there's even a complete idiot's guide!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1592571859/?tag=pfamazon01-20

will you delete that link too as unrealiable?

We will if you attempt to use it as a reference and it ends up being inaccurate. Then it shows that the book is a poor reference as well.

Now, I suggest we get back on the original topic or I'm going to lock this thread.
 
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