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Understanding Circuit Impedance with Complex Numbers

The document discusses complex numbers and their use in electrical circuits. It explains that an electrical circuit has three main components: current, impedance (resistance), and voltage. Impedance is the combined resistance of resistors, coils and capacitors in a circuit. If two AC circuits are connected in series, their total impedance is found by adding the impedances of the individual circuits. This is demonstrated algebraically and graphically on the complex plane, where the total impedance is represented by the vector sum of the individual impedances.

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Cameron Philbert
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7 views1 page

Understanding Circuit Impedance with Complex Numbers

The document discusses complex numbers and their use in electrical circuits. It explains that an electrical circuit has three main components: current, impedance (resistance), and voltage. Impedance is the combined resistance of resistors, coils and capacitors in a circuit. If two AC circuits are connected in series, their total impedance is found by adding the impedances of the individual circuits. This is demonstrated algebraically and graphically on the complex plane, where the total impedance is represented by the vector sum of the individual impedances.

Uploaded by

Cameron Philbert
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Module 1 Project – Circuitry

Complex numbers are often used in the study of electricity, specifically


alternating current (AC) electricity. In a simplified electrical circuit, there are
three basic components that need to be considered:
the flow of the electrical current, I
the resistance to the flow, Z, called impedance, and
the electromotive force, E, called voltage.
Impedance is the result of having resistors, coils, and capacitors in a circuit
and is measured in ohms. Voltage refers to the electrical potential in a circuit
and is measured in volts. Current is measured in amperes (amps). The
formula E= I x Z illustrates the relationship among these components. If two
circuits are connected so that the current flows through them one after
another, the circuits are connected in a series.
1.) If two AC circuits are connected in a series, one with an impedance of
3 + 5i ohms and the other with an impedance of 2 -4i ohms, what is
the total impedance?
2.) Demonstrate this algebraically and explain the process you used.
3.) Let’s think about this graphically. The first AC circuit should be labeled
as point A and the second circuit as point B. Label the origin as O.
Draw a line through B that is parallel to ray OA. Then, draw a line
through A that is parallel to ray OB. Label the point where the two
lines intersect as point C. What are the coordinates of the C? What
does ray OC represent?
4.) How does this number found in #3 compare with the answer you
found in #1 and #2?
5.) What can be said about complex numbers?
6.) Test the statement you made by working with several other pairs of
complex numbers.

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