Why Does My Impedance Homework Answer Differ From the Book's?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a discrepancy between a student's calculated current phasor and the answer provided in the textbook. The student calculated the current as i(t) = 3.88 cos(377t + 50.8°) A, while the book states it as i(t) = 3.88 cos(377t - 39.2°) A, noting a 90° difference in phase. The student correctly derived the equivalent impedances and applied the formula I = V/Z, leading to confusion about the phase shift. The conversation suggests that textbooks can sometimes contain errors, and the student's method appears valid. Clarification on phase angles in AC circuits is essential for understanding this difference.
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Homework Statement



Find ##i(t)## in the following circuit:

Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 12.46.32 PM.png


Homework Equations



##Z = \frac{V}{I} \Rightarrow I = \frac{V}{Z}##

The Attempt at a Solution



I've solved this, but I'm wondering why my answer is different than the book's answer. The book lists the answer as ##i(t) = 3.88 cos(377t - 39.2^o) \space A##.

Writing the given voltage as a phasor: ##v(t) = 120 \angle 60^o \space V##.

Calculating the impedances of each component:

##Z_R = 20 \Omega##
##Z_L = j \omega L = (377)(40 \times 10^{-3})j = (15.08j) \Omega##
##Z_C = - \frac{j}{\omega C} = - \frac{j}{(377)(50 \times 10^{-6})} = -(53.05j) \Omega##

Calculating the required equivalent impedances:

##Z_{eq_1} = Z_R + Z_L = (20 + 15.08j) \Omega##

##Z_{eq_2} = (\frac{1}{Z_C} + \frac{1}{Z_{eq_1}})^{-1} = (- \frac{1}{53.05 j} + \frac{1}{20 + 15.08j})^{-1} = (30.56 + 4.97j) = 30.96 \angle 9.24^o \space \Omega##

Finding the current phasor:

##I = \frac{V}{Z} = \frac{120 \angle 60^o}{30.96 \angle 9.24^o} = 3.88 \angle 50.8^o \space A##

##i(t) = 3.88 cos(377t + 50.8^o) \space A##

My answer differs from the books answer by exactly ##90^o## (50.8 + 39.2 = 90). Why is this? Have I done something wrong?
 
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Your method and answer look good to me.
 
gneill said:
Your method and answer look good to me.

That's good to know. Although I'm a little perplexed as to why my answer differs by an angle of ##\frac{\pi}{2}##.
 
Text books have been known to have incorrect solutions on occasion.
 
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