Levels

Lab

The physics

A resistor's current is in step with the voltage. A coil's current lags by a quarter cycle. A capacitor's current leads by a quarter cycle.

XL = ωL = 2πfL    XC = 1 / (ωC)

A phasor is an arrow that turns at ω. The height of its tip is the value at that instant. Voltages and currents a quarter cycle apart are arrows at 90°.

In a series circuit the same current flows through every part. The parts' voltages add as arrows, not as numbers.

Z = √(R² + (XL − XC)²)    tan φ = (XL − XC) / R

A plain “220 V” is an rms value. V₀ in V₀ sin ωt is the peak, and V₀ = √2 Vrms.