Physics 122B

Electricity and Magnetism

Lecture 24 (Knight: 33.9, 34.1-5)
LC and AC Circuits

Martin Savage
 Lecture 24 Announcements
 Lecture HW is due tonight at 10 PM.
 Midterm Exam 3 is this coming Friday. Covers
explicitly everything not covered in the previous
exam…and assumes understanding of all previous
material.
 Lecture question and lab question are multiple-
choice, tutorial is long answer.

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 2

 LC Circuits
A charged capacitor bears a
certain resemblance to a stretched
spring (remember the rubber
diaphragm), storing energy even
when the charge is not moving.
An inductor similarly resembles a
moving mass (remember the
flywheel), storing energy only when
charge is in motion.
We know that a mass and spring can make an oscillator. What about a
capacitor and inductor. Consider the circuit shown in the diagram. What
happens when the switch is closed?
The capacitor discharges by creating a current in the inductor. But
where does the energy go that had been stored in the inductor? There
are no dissipative elements in the system. Therefore, when the charge
of the capacitor goes to zero, all of its previous energy must reside in
the inductor. The current in the inductor falls while charging the
capacitor in the opposite direction. And so on …
March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 3
 The Oscillation Cycle

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 4

 LC circuits (2)

dI 1
L dt + Q = 0
C

d2Q 1
dt2 + Q = 0
LC

Q = α Sin( ω t + φ )

1
ω 2
= L C

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 5

 Example:
An AM Radio Oscillator
You have a 10mH inductor. What capacitor should you use with it to
make an oscillator with a frequency of 920 kHz? (This frequency is
near the center of the AM radio band.

  2 f  2 (9.20 105 s-1 )  5.78 106 s -1

1 1 11
C 2   3.0  10 F  30 pF
 L (5.78 10 s ) (1.0 10 H)
6 -1 2 2

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 6

 Plumber’s LC Analogy
Valve

V1 V2 P1 P2

V3
Rubber
Diaphragm Flywheel
The “plumber’s analogy” of an LC circuit is a P3
rubber diaphragm that has been stretched
by pressure on the top (P1) side. When the
valve starts the flow, the diaphragm forces Valve = Switch
water past the flywheel, which begins to Rubber Diaphragm = Capacitor
spin. After the diaphragm has become flat, Flywheel = Inductor
Pressure = Potential
the momentum of the flywheel forces the Water Flow = Current
diaphragm to be stretched in the other
direction, and the cycle repeats.
March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 7
 Chapter 33 - Summary (1)

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 8

 Chapter 33 - Summary (2)

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 9

 Chapter 33 - Summary (3)

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 10

 AC Sources and Phasors
You can think of an AC
generator as a battery-
like object with an emf
that varies sinusoidally as
E (t) = E0cos ωt, where
E0 is the maximum emf and
ω is the angular
frequency, with ω=2πf,
where f is the frequency
in Hz.
Alternatively, the emf and other oscillatory
quantities can be represented by a phasor
diagram. The phasor is a vector of length E0
that rotates counterclockwise around the
origin with angular frequency ω, so that the
angle it makes with the horizontal axis at any
time is ωt. The projection of the phasor on
the horizontal axis at any time gives the emf.
March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 11
 Resistor AC Circuits
Consider an AC current iR
through a resistor. Ohm’s
Law gives the potential drop
across the resistor, which we
will call the resistor voltage
vR. v i R
R R

If the resistor is connected

in an AC circuit as shown, then
Kirschoff’s loop law tells us
that:
Vsource
soruce  VR =E  vR  0

E (t )  E0 cos t  vR
v E
iR  R  0 cos t  I R cos t
R R
In the phasor diagram, the phasors for vR and iR are parallel.
March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 12
 Example:
Finding Resistor Voltages
In the circuit shown, find
(a) the peak voltage across
each resistor, and
(b) the instantaneous resistor
voltages at t=20 ms.

Req  R1  R2  (5 )  (15 )  20 
v E cos t (100 V) cos 2 (60 Hz)t
iR  I R cos t  R  0   (5.0 A) cos 2 (60 Hz)t
Req Req (20 )
 25 V for R1 =5 
VR  I 0 R  
 75 V for R 2 =15 
iR (t  20 ms)  (5.0 A) cos 2 (60 Hz)(2.0 102 s)  1.545 A
 7.7 V for R 1 =5 
vR  iR R  
 23.2 V for R 2 =15 
March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 13
 Capacitor AC Circuits (1)

Consider an AC current iC through a capacitor as shown. The capacitor

voltage vC = E = E0cos ωt = VCcos wt. The charge on the capacitor will
be q = CvC = CVCcos ωt.
dq d iC  CVC cos(t   / 2)
iC    CVC cos t   CVC sin t
dt dt
The AC current through a capacitor leads the capacitor voltage
by π/2 rad or 900.
March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 14
 Capacitor AC Circuits (2)
The AC current through
a capacitor leads the
capacitor voltage by π/2 rad
or 900. The phasors for vC
and iC are perpendicular,
with the iC phasor ahead of
the vC phasor.

This is analogous to the

behavior of the position
and velocity of a mass-
and-spring harmonic
oscillator.

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 15

 Capacitive Reactance
For AC circuits we can define a
resistance-like quantity, measured
in ohms, for capacitance. It is
called the capacitive reactance XC:

1 1
XC  
C 2 f C

We can then use a form of

Ohm’s Law to relate the peak
voltage VC, the peak current IC, and
the capacitive reactance XC in an
AC circuit:
VC
IC  and VC  I C X C
XC

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 16

 Question

The instantaneous value of the emf E represented by this

phasor is:

(c) Increasing;
(b) Decreasing;
(c) Constant;
(d) It is not possible to tell without knowing t.

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 17

 Example: Capacitive Reactance
What is the capacitive reactance of a 0.10 µF capacitor at a 100 Hz
audio frequency and at a 100 MHz FM radio frequency?

1
X C (100 Hz)   15,900 
2 (100 s )(1.0 10 F)
-1 -7

1
X C (100 MHz)   0.0159 
2 (1.0 10 s )(1.0 10 F)
8 -1 -7

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 18

 Example: Capacitive Current
A 10 µF capacitor is connected to a 1000 Hz oscillator with a
peak emf of 5.0 V.
What is the peak current in the capacitor?
1
X C (1000 Hz)   15.9 
2 (100 s )(1.0 10 F)
-1 -5

VC (5.0 V)
IC    0.314 A
X C (15.9 )

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 19

 Voltage Dividers

r
Vout

The circuit indicates a potentiometer, a resistor with a sliding

contact. The overall resistance of the unit is R, while the resistance
from the sliding tap to the bottom is r.
What is the voltage Vout delivered between the output terminals?
r
I E / R Vout  I r  E
R
Thus, the potentiometer divides the input voltage and delivers
some fraction of it proportional to r/R. This is a voltage divider.
March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 20
 Analyzing an RC Circuit

Draw the current Draw the resistor Draw the emf E0 The phasors
vector I at some voltage VR in phase as the vector sum VR and VC form
arbitrary angle. with the current. of VR and VC. The the sides of a
All elements of Draw the capacitor angle of this right triangle,
the circuit will voltage VC 900 phasor is ωt, with E0 as the
have this current. behind the current. where the time- hypotenuse.
Make sure all phasor dependent emf is Therefore,
lengths scale E0 cos ωt. E02 = VR2+VC2.
properly.
March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 21
 RC Filter Circuits
Now consider a circuit that
includes both a resistor and a
capacitor. Because the
capacitor voltage VC and the
resistor voltage VR are 900
apart in the phasor diagram,
they must be added like the
sides of a right triangle:

E0 2  VC 2  VR 2  ( IR ) 2  ( IX C ) 2
E0 R
VR  IR 
 ( R 2  X C 2 ) I 2   R 2   C   I 2
2
R 2   C 
2
 
E0
I E0 / C
Vc  IX C 
R 2   C 
2
R 2   C 
2

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 22

 Frequency Dependence
E0 R
VR  IR 
R 2   C 
2

E0 / C
Vc  IX C 
R 2   C 
2

Define the crossover frequency

where VR=VC as ω C:
1
C 
RC
At   C VR  VC  E0 / 2  0.707E0

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 23

 Filters and Transmission
An RC filter is a circuit that passes a
signal with attenuation of some frequencies.
Define the transmission of an RC filter as
T = vout/vin with ω C = 1/(RC):
1/(C ) C / 
TLoPass  
R 2  (C ) 2 1  (C /  ) 2
R 1
THiPass  
R  (C )
2 2
1  (C /  ) 2
1
Low Pass High Pass
0.8

0.6 Cross-over Point

T

0.4

0.2

0
0.001

March 7, 2007
0.01 0.1

1
w wC
10
Note log scale
100 1000

Physics 122C - Lecture 23 24

 Example: Designing a Filter
For a science project you have built a radio to listen to AM
radio broadcasts at frequencies near 1 MHz. The basic circuit
is an antenna, which produces a very small oscillating voltage
when it absorbs energy from an electromagnetic wave, and an
amplifier. Unfortunately, your neighbor’s short wave broadcast
at 10 MHz interferes with your reception. You decide to place
a filter between the antenna and the amplifier. You have a 500
pF capacitor.
What frequency should you select for the filter’s cross over
frequency?
What value of resistance should be used in the filter?

fC  f1 f 2  (1.0 MHz)(10.0 MHz)  3.16 MHz Tlow (ω 1) = T high (ω 2)

1 1 1
R    100 
C C 2 f C C 2 (3.16 10 s )(5.0 10 F)
6 -1 10

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 25

 Question

Which of these RC filter circuits has the largest cross-over

frequency ω C?

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 26

 AC Inductor Circuits
Consider an AC current iR through an inductor. The changing
current produces an instantaneous inductor voltage vL.
di
vL  L L
dt
If the inductor is connected in an AC
circuit as shown, then Kirschoff’s loop
law tells us that:
vL VL
Vsoruce  VL =E  vL  0 E (t )  E0 cos t  vL diL  dt  cos tdt
L L
V V V    
iL  L  cos tdt  L sin t  L cos  t    I L cos  t  
L L L  2  2

In the phasor diagram, the

inductor current iL lags the
voltage vL by 900, so that iL
peaks T/4 later than vL.

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 27

 Inductive Reactance
For AC circuits we can define a
resistance-like quantity, measured
in ohms, for inductance. It is
called the inductive reactance XL:

X L   L  2 f L

We can then use a form of

Ohm’s Law to relate the peak
voltage VL, the peak current IL, and
the inductive reactance XL in an AC
circuit:
VL
IL  and VL  I L X L
XL

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 28

 Example: Current and Voltage
of an Inductor
A 25 µH inductor is used in a circuit that
is driven at 100 kHZ. The current through
the inductor reaches a peak value of 20 mA
at t=5.0 µs.
What is the peak inductor voltage, and when, closest to t=5.0 µs,
does it occur?
X L   L  2 (1.0 105 s -1 )(2.5 105 H)  16 

VL  I L X L  (2.0 102 A)(16 )  0.320 V

The voltage peaks ¼ cycle before the current, which peaks at 5 µs.
For f = 100 kHz, T = 10 µs, so T/4 = 2.5 µs. Therefore, the voltage
peaks at t =(5.0-2.5) µs = 2.5 µs.

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 29

 Analyzing an LRC Circuit

Draw the current Draw the resistor Draw the emf E0 The phasors VR
vector I at some voltage VR in phase as the vector sum and VL-VC form
arbitrary angle. with the current. of VR and VL-VC. the sides of a
All elements of Draw the inductor The angle of this right triangle,
the circuit will and capacitor phasor is ωt, with E0 as the
have this current. voltages VL and VC where the time- hypotenuse.
900 before and dependent emf is Therefore, E02
behind the current, E0 cos ωt. = VR2+(VL-VC)2.
respectively.
March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 30
 The Series RLC Circuit
The figure shows a resistor, inductor,
and capacitor connected in series. The
same current i passes through all of the
elements in the loop. From Kirchhoff’s
loop law, E = vR + vL + vC.

Because of the capacitive and inductive

elements in the circuit, the current i will
not in general be in phase with E, so we will
have i = I cos(ωt-φ) where φ is the phase
angle between current and voltage. If
VL>VC then the current i will lag E and φ>0.

E02  VR2  (VL  VC ) 2   R 2  ( X L  X C ) 2  I 2

E0 E0
I 
R  (X L  XC )
2 2
R 2  ( L  1/ C ) 2
March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 31
 Impedance and Phase Angle
We can define the impedance
Z of the circuit as:

Z  R 2  ( X L  X C )2
 R 2  ( L  1/ C ) 2

Then I  E / Z
From the phasor diagram ,we
see that the phase angle f of the
current is given by:
 X L  XC    L  1/ C 
  tan 1  1
  tan  
VL  VC I  X L  X C   R   R 
tan   
VR IR
VR  E0 cos 

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 32

 Resonance
E0
I
R 2  ( L  1/ C ) 2

The current I will be a maximum when ωL=1/ωC.

This defines the resonant frequency of the system ω 0:
E0
I
1 2
0  2     
2

LC R 2   L   1   0  
    

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 33

 Example:
Designing a Radio Receiver
An AM radio antenna picks up a 1000 kHz signal with a peak
voltage of 5.0 mV. The tuning circuit consists of a 60 µH
inductor in series with a variable capacitor. The inductor coil
has a resistance of 0.25 Ω, and the resistance of the rest of
the circuit is negligible.
(b) To what capacitance should the capacitor be tuned to listen to
this radio station.
(c) What is the peak current through the circuit at resonance?
(d) A stronger station at 1050 kHz produces a 10 mV antenna
signal. What is the current in the radio at this frequency when
the station is tuned to 1000 kHz. X L  X C so Z  R
0  1/ LC  1000 kHz = 1 MHz I1  E0 / R  (5.0  103 V) /(0.25 )  0.020 A  20 mA
1 1 X L '   ' L  396  X C '  1/  ' C  358 
C 
L02 (60 10-6 H)(6.28 106 rad/s) 2
E0 '
 4.23 10 -10
F  423 pF I2   0.26 mA
R  ( X L ' X C ')
2 2

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 34

 Lecture 24 Announcements
 Lecture HW is due tonight at 10 PM.
 Midterm Exam 3 is this coming Friday. Covers
explicitly everything not covered in the previous
exam…and assumes understanding of all previous
material.
 Lecture question and lab question are multiple-
choice, tutorial is long answer.

March 7, 2007 Physics 122C - Lecture 23 35