Circuit Theory/Complex Frequency Examples/example12

A voltage source generates a current when connected to an RC branch. Find the values of the resistance and capacitance.

knowns and unknowns edit

knowns   and  
unknowns  

equations edit

 
 
 

into complex frequency domain symbolically edit

 
 
 

Solving symbolically as much as possible:

 
 
 

At this point, symbolic manipulation with mupad fails. Mupad can not separate out symbolically the rectangular or polar expressions. Doing this by hand will result in huge symbolic expressions.

It is easier just to leave the solution in the above symbolic form.

At this point, it seems like there is one equation with two unknowns (R, C). But in reality there are two equations. The real part of the right has to equal the real part on the left. The imaginary on the right has to equal the imaginary on the left. Unfortunately, the values of   and   will determine the next step.

 
find RC of series circuit given Vs and Is .. m file

complex domain math edit

 
 
 
 
 
Thus  
 
 
 

Solution can only be found in the complex domain.


Simulation edit

Can not simulate to get the answer, but can simulate the answer to see if matches the sources given.  

 

It is clear that the cos, current is leading the voltage. Theoretically should be by -30 + 90 = 60 degrees.

The difference between the peaks is 0.141 seconds approximately. This translates in to degrees:

phase difference = peak difference * 360/period = 56.55 degrees .. approximately 60 degrees.

Magnitude of the current is less than the 0.2 specified, but is close ... approximately 0.18 amps. There is lots of error here. Probably could do more accurately.