Physics 102.

1 Experiment 8
st

1 Semester, AY 2013-2014

Resonance in Series RLC Circuits

1. Objectives
1.1.
Investigate the behavior of a circuit when it reaches resonance
1.2.
Understand why the current peaks at the resonant frequency
1.3.
Graphically show the various voltages in the circuit at resonance, below and
above resonance
1.4.
Determine the bandwidth of a given network
2. Overview
A circuit in resonance (also called a tuned circuit) consists of a series connection of a
resistor, an inductor and a capacitor together with an AC voltage or current source. It is
one of the most important circuits used in electronics. It allows us to select a desired
radio or television signal from the vast number of signals that are around us at any
time.
A network is in resonance when the voltage and current at the network input terminals
are in phase and the input impedance of the network is purely resistive. In the following
R-L-C circuit of ideal components, the current
will reach maximum when the
) are equal in magnitude,
inductive reactance (
) and capacitive reactance (
and the impedance
(
) reaches minimum at a specific frequency.

This frequency is called the resonant frequency. This frequency can be tuned by varying
the inductance or capacitance of a circuit.

Figure 1. Series R-L-C circuit

The phase angle

of the voltage with respect to the current is given by

whereas the bandwidth is defined as the difference in frequency between the

frequency above resonance at which the voltage drops to 70.7% of its maximum
and the frequency below resonance at which the voltage drops to 70.7% of its
maximum.
3. Procedure
3.1.
Construct Figure 1 in your breadboard. Take note of actual values of the
components.
3.2.
Set the signal generator output level
to approximately 1.5 2 volts. Then for
each of the following frequencies: 10 Hz, 50 Hz, 100 Hz, 200 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz,
2 kHz, and 5 kHz, measure the record each of the five peaks (or rms) voltages
, , , , and
(voltage across both inductor and capacitor) using the
oscilloscope (or multimeter). Make a plot of the five voltages as a function of
frequency.
3.3.
Also measure the current for each of the above frequencies. Fine tune the
frequency until you approach or reach resonance (this is when you get
maximum current). Make a plot of the current as a function of frequency.
Compare your plot with that in Procedure 3.2.
3.4.
Note what happens to
,
and at the resonant frequency.

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Physics 102.1 Experiment 8

st

1 Semester, AY 2013-2014
3.5.
3.6.

3.7.

3.8.

Repeat steps 3.2 to 3.4 this time using a different value for R.
Use your measured voltage values to calculate the impedance (or total
reactance) of the series L-C part of the circuit at each frequency for both
resistors. Then plot total reactance versus frequency. Also plot the total
reactance for both resistors using a logarithmic scale for frequency. Comment
on the similarities or differences between the two graphs.
On another graph, plot the total impedance, resistance, capacitive reactance
and inductive reactance using a logarithmic scale for frequency. Make a plot for
the two resistances.
Plot the phase angle of the voltage source
with respect to the current .
Superimpose your total impedance plot and the measured current from 3.3
with this graph in logarithmic frequency scale. Comment on these plots (i.e.
Compare the voltage and current below and above resonance. What are its
implications?)

4. Guide Questions
4.1.
Calculate the theoretical resonant frequency of your circuit. What is the percent
difference between your theoretical and experimental values?
4.2.
Calculate the theoretical bandwidth of your circuit. Deduce the experimental
value of the bandwidth and compare with your calculation. What is the percent
difference between the theoretical and measured? How can you minimize the
error?

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