ACTIVITY No.

8
IMPEDANCE of INDUCTANCE, RESISTANCE and CAPACITANCE CIRCUIT

OBJECTIVES
1. To investigate the impedance of a series inductance, resistance and capacitance
circuit and compare it with the impedance of its constituent components.
2. To investigate the impedance of series inductance, resistance and capacitance
circuit to an AC sinusoidal waveform, see how this varies with frequency.

INSTRUMENTS and MATERIALS

Audio generator
2.2-μF capacitor
1-kΩ resistor
Connecting wires
100-mH inductor
Bread board
Voltmeter
AC milliammeter (0-5mA)

DISCUSSION

In series AC circuit containing inductance, capacitance, and resistance (Figure 8.1), the
current is given by;

E E
I = =
√ R2 + ( X L – X C ) 2 Z

Note that the impedance can be considered as the geometric sum of the resistance, the inductive
reactance, and the capacitive reactance with due regard to the fact that the inductive reactance
and the capacitive shift the phase in opposite direction. The impedance can be computed by
drawing a vector diagram like that in Figure 8.2. The angle by which the current lags behind the
emf isθ. Clearly tanθ = (XL – XC)/ R, sin θ = (XL – XC)/ Z, cos θ = R/Z. When XC is larger than XL,
θ is negative and the current leads the applied voltage.
 R XL = 2πfL

C XC – XL
θ
XC = 1/
2πfC
Figure 8.1 Figure 8.2

PROCEDURES
1. Connect up the circuit as shown in the wiring diagram of Figure 8.3. Adjust the
generator output to give 4 Vrms at 500 Hz.
2. Record the current for this voltage.
3. Measure and record the voltage across R, L, and C.
a. Draw to scale showing Vin , VR, VL and VC.
b. Reconnect the voltmeter across the input of the circuit and adjust the
generator output to give 4Vrms at 20 Hz and record in Table 8.1 the input
voltage Vin and the resultant current I.
c. Repeat the above procedures for frequencies listed in Table 8.2.
d. Calculate the impedance Z for each frequency and plot a graph of Z against f.
Then get the frequency at which impedance Z is minimum and measure the
voltage drop across R, L and C at this frequency and draw the phasor diagram
of the circuit showing VL, VC, VR, and Vin .

V 1kΩ
Audio
Generator 100 mH

2.2 μF

Figure 8.3
Table 8.1

Frequency Vin VR VL VC I Z
(Hz) (V) (Vrms) (Vrms) (Vrms) (mA) (Ω)
20
40
60
80
100
160
200
240
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000

OBSERVATIONS:

CONLUSION:
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

1. What happen to the resistance, the inductive reactance, and the capacitive reactance
when the frequency applied to a series AC circuit is doubled?
2. An AC circuit contains a resistor and a variable capacitor. If the frequency is
constant, will it increase the capacitance or decrease the current. Explain.
3. A large inductor placed in series with an electric light bulb in an AC circuit results in
a very dim lamp. A variable capacitor added in series can be adjusted to bring the
lamp to almost normal brightness. How does this come about?
4. Explain the statement that “an AC circuit containing both inductance and capacitance
appears to the source only as either an inductive circuit or a capacitive circuit?”.
5. At a frequency of 60 Hz, what value of capacitance must be connected in series with
an impedance of 60 Ω 60 º to form: (a) an inductive impedance of 45 Ω? (b) a
capacitive impedance of 45 Ω?
 Activity No. 8
In Electrical
Circuits II

Submitted By: John Paul M. Baquiran

CEIT-03-601E

Submitted To: Engr. Pio Advincula