The **sinusoidal steady-state response** refers to the behavior of an electrical circuit when it is driven by a sinusoidal (AC) source after all transient effects have subsided. In this state, the circuit’s response—voltage, current, or other related quantities—also varies sinusoidally at the same frequency as the source, but with possibly different amplitude and phase.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
### Key Components of Sinusoidal Steady-State Response:
1. **Input Signal:**
The input to the system is a sinusoidal signal, typically represented as:
\[
v(t) = V_m \sin(\omega t + \theta)
\]
where:
- \( V_m \) = amplitude of the input voltage,
- \( \omega \) = angular frequency in radians per second,
- \( t \) = time,
- \( \theta \) = phase angle of the input.
2. **Response Characteristics:**
After the transients (initial response when the source is first applied) die out, the circuit reaches a steady state. In this **steady-state**, the circuit’s response (output voltage or current) will also be sinusoidal and at the same frequency as the input. However:
- **Amplitude**: The amplitude of the output may differ from the input depending on the circuit elements (resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.).
- **Phase Shift**: There will typically be a phase shift between the input and the output, which depends on the reactive components (inductors and capacitors) in the circuit.
3. **Phasor Representation:**
To simplify the analysis, engineers often use **phasors** in steady-state analysis. A sinusoidal function in time can be represented as a complex number in the frequency domain. For example:
\[
V(t) = V_m \sin(\omega t + \theta) \quad \longrightarrow \quad V = V_m \angle \theta
\]
This makes it easier to handle addition, subtraction, and multiplication of sinusoidal functions when working with complex impedance.
4. **Impedance in AC Circuits:**
The opposition to the current in AC circuits is characterized by **impedance** (Z), which has both resistive and reactive components:
\[
Z = R + jX
\]
where \( R \) is the resistance, \( X \) is the reactance (inductive or capacitive), and \( j \) is the imaginary unit. The sinusoidal steady-state response is determined by this impedance.
5. **Circuit Behavior in Steady-State:**
- **Resistor (R):** In a purely resistive circuit, the current and voltage are **in-phase** (no phase shift).
- **Inductor (L):** In a circuit with an inductor, the current **lags** the voltage by 90° (phase shift of \(-90^\circ\)).
- **Capacitor (C):** In a circuit with a capacitor, the current **leads** the voltage by 90° (phase shift of \(+90^\circ\)).
### Example:
Consider an RLC circuit with a sinusoidal voltage source. The voltage and current responses will be sinusoidal in the steady-state, but depending on the values of \( R \), \( L \), and \( C \), the amplitude and phase of the current will differ from those of the voltage.
- In an **RL circuit**, the current will lag the voltage.
- In an **RC circuit**, the current will lead the voltage.
- In a **resonant RLC circuit**, the current and voltage may become in phase at a particular frequency called the **resonant frequency**.
### Practical Importance:
- **Power Systems:** In AC power systems, sinusoidal steady-state analysis helps predict how voltage and current will behave across various components, ensuring efficient power distribution.
- **Communication Systems:** Signals in radios and communication equipment are sinusoidal, and the sinusoidal steady-state response determines how these signals are transmitted and received.
- **Filters:** Understanding the sinusoidal steady-state response helps design filters that allow or block certain frequencies.
In summary, the sinusoidal steady-state response gives engineers the tools to analyze and predict the behavior of AC circuits once they have reached equilibrium, focusing on the amplitude and phase relationship between input and output signals.