1. Professor Ahmadi and Robert Proie
Sinusoidal Waves Lab
Professor Ahmadi
and Robert Proie

2. Objectives Learn to Mathematically Describe Sinusoidal Waves
Refresh Complex Number Concepts

3. Describing a Sinusoidal Wave

4. Sinusoidal Waves Described by the equation Y = A ∙ sin(ωt + φ)
A = Amplitude
ω = Frequency in Radians (Angular Frequency)
φ = Initial Phase 5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Y = 5∙sin(2π∙0.05∙t + 0)
Amplitude
X=TIME (seconds)

5. Sinusoidal Waves: Amplitude5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Y = 5 ∙ sin(2π∙0.05∙t+ 0)
Amplitude
X=TIME (seconds)
Amplitude = 5 units
Definition: Vertical distance between peak value and center value.

6. Sinusoidal Waves: Peak to Peak Value5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Amplitude
X=TIME (seconds)
Peak to Peak Value= 10 units
Definition: Vertical distance between the maximum and minimum peak values.

7. Sinusoidal Waves: Frequency5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Y = 5 ∙ sin(2π∙0.05∙t+ 0)
Amplitude
X=TIME (seconds)
f= 1 / T
ω = 2 π f
Frequency = 0.05 cycles/second Or
Frequency = 0.05 Hz
Definition: Number of cycles that complete within a given time period.
Standard Unit: Hertz (Hz)
1 Hz = 1 cycle / second
For Sine Waves: Frequency = ω / (2π)
Ex. (2π*0.05) / (2π) = 0.05 Hz

8. Sinusoidal Waves: Period5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Y = 5 ∙ sin(2π∙0.05∙t+ 0)
Amplitude
X=TIME (seconds)
f= 1 / T
ω = 2 π f
Period = 20 seconds
Definition: Time/Duration from the beginning to the end of one cycle.
Standard Unit: seconds (s)
For Sine Waves: Period = (2π) / ω
Ex. (2π) / (2π*0.05)= 20 seconds

9. Sinusoidal Waves: Phase
Sinusoids do not always have a value of 0 at Time = 0.
Time (s)
Amplitude 5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Time (s)
Amplitude 5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Time (s)
Amplitude 5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Time (s)
Amplitude 5
2.5
-2.5 -5

10. Sinusoidal Waves: Phase
Phase indicates position of wave at Time = 0
One full cycle takes 360º or 2π radians
(X radians) ∙ 180 / (2 π) = Y degrees
(Y degrees ) ∙ (2 π) /180 = X radians
Phase can also be represented as an angle
Often depicted as a vector within a circle of radius 1, called a unit circle
Image from Feb 2011

11. Sinusoidal Waves: Phase
The value at Time = 0 determines the phase.
Time (s)
Amplitude 5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Time (s)
Amplitude 5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Phase = 0º or 0 radians
Phase = 90º or π/2 radians

12. Sinusoidal Waves: Phase
The value at Time = 0 determines the phase.
Phase = 180º or π radians
Phase = 270º or 3π/4 radians
Time (s)
Amplitude 5
2.5
-2.5 -5
Time (s)
Amplitude 5
2.5
-2.5 -5

13. Working with Complex Numbers

14. Complex Numbers Commonly represented 2 ways
Rectangular form: z = a + bi
a = real part
b = imaginary part
Polar Form: z = r(cos(φ) + i sin(φ))
r = magnitude
φ = phase r b a φ
Conversion Chart
Given a & b
Given r & φ a
r cos(φ) b
r sin(φ) r φ

15. Complex Numbers: Example
Given: i, convert to polar form.
r = ( )(1/2) = 5.0
φ = 0.64
Solution: 5.0(cos(0.64) + i sin(0.64))
Given: 2.5(cos(.35) + i sin(0.35)), convert to rectangular form.
a = 2.5 cos(0.35) = 2.3
b = 2.5 sin(0.35) = 0.86
Solution = i

16. Complex Numbers: Euler’s Formula
Polar form complex numbers are often represented with exponentials using Euler’s Formula
e(iφ) = cos(φ) + i sin(φ) or
r*e(iφ) = r ∙ (cos(φ) + i sin(φ))
e is the base of the natural log, also called Euler’s number or exponential.

17. Complex Numbers: Euler’s Formula Examples
Given: i, convert to polar exponential form.
r = ( )(1/2) = 5.0
φ = 0.64
5.0(cos(0.64) + i sin(0.64))
Solution: 5.0e(0.64i)
Given: 2.5(cos(.35) + i sin(0.35)), convert to polar exponential form.
Solution = 2.5e(0.35i)

18. Putting it All Together: Phasor Introduction

19. Phasor Introduction
We can use complex numbers and Euler’s formula to represent sine and cosine waves.
We call this representation a phase vector or phasor.
Take the equation A ∙ cos(ωt + φ)
Convert to polar form
Re means Real Part
Re{Aeiωteiφ}
Drop the frequency/ω term
Re{Aeiφ}
IMPORTANT: Common convention is to express phasors in terms of cosines as shown here.
Drop the real part notation
Aφ

20. Phasor Introduction: Examples
Given: Express 5*cos(100t + 30°) in phasor notation.
Vector representing phasor with magnitude 5 and 30°angle 3
Re{5ei100tei30°}
Re{5ei30°}
Solution: 530° 4
Given: Express 5*sin(100t + 120°) in phasor notation.
5*cos(100t + 30°)
Re{5ei100tei30°}
Re{5ei30°}
Solution: 530°
Remember: sin(x) = cos(x-90°)
Same solution!

21. Lab Exercises

22. Sinusoids: Instructions
In the coming weeks, you will learn how to measure alternating current (AC) signals using an oscilloscope. An interactive version of this tool is available at
oscilloscope.com/simulation.html
Using that simulator and the tips listed, complete the exercises on the following slides.
Tip: Make sure you press the power button to turn on the simulated oscilloscope.

23. Sinusoids: Instructions
For each problem, turn in a screenshot of the oscilloscope and the answers to any questions asked.
Solutions should be prepared in a Word/Open Office document with at most one problem per page.
An important goal is to learn by doing, rather than simply copying a set of step-by-step instructions. Detailed instruction on using the simulator can be found at oscilloscope.com/help/index.html and additional questions can be directed to your GTA.

24. Problem 1: Sinusoids
The display of an oscilloscope is divided into a grid. Each line is called a division.
Vertical lines represent units of time.
Which two cables produce signals a period closes to 8 ms?
What is the frequency of these signals?
What is the amplitude of these signals?
Capture an image of the oscilloscope displaying at least 1 cycle of each signal simultaneously.
Hint: You will need to use the “DUAL” button to display 2 signals at the same time.

25. Problem 2: Sinusoids Horizontal lines represent units of voltage.
What is the amplitude of the pink cable’s signal? The orange cable?
What are their frequencies?
What is the Peak-to-Peak voltage of the sum of these two signals?
Capture an image of the oscilloscope displaying the addition of the pink and orange cables.
Repeat A-D for the pink and purple cables.
Hint: You will need to use the “ADD” button to add 2 signals together.

26. Sinusoids: Instructions
Look at the image of the oscilloscope on the following page and answer the questions.

27. Problem 3: Sinusoids
What is the amplitude of the signal? What is the peak to peak voltage?
What is the frequency of the signal? What is the period.
What is the phase of the sine wave at time = 0?
0.5 ms / Div
0.5 V/ Div
Time = 0
Location

28. Complex Numbers: Instructions
For each of these problems, you must include your work. Please follow the steps listed previously in the lecture.

29. Problem 4: Complex Numbers
Convert the following to polar, sinusoidal form.
5+3i
12.2+7i
-3+2i
6-8i
-3π/2-πi
2+17i

30. Problem 5: Complex Numbers
Convert the following to rectangular form.
1.8(cos(.35) + i sin(0.35))
-3.5(cos(1.2) + i sin(1.2))
0.4(cos(-.18) + i sin(-.18))
3.8e(3.8i)
-2.4e(-15i)
1.5e(12.2i)

31. Problem 6: Complex Numbers
Convert the following to polar, exponential form using Euler’s Formula.
1.8(cos(.35) + i sin(0.35))
-3.5(cos(1.2) + i sin(1.2))
0.4(cos(-.18) + i sin(-.18))
6-8i
-3π/2-πi
2+17i

32. Phasors: Instructions
For each of these problems, you must include your work. Please follow the steps listed previously in the lecture.

33. Problem 7: Phasors Convert the following items into phasor notation.
3.2*cos(15t+7°)
-2.8*cos(πt-13°)
1.6*sin(2πt+53°)
-2.8*sin(-t-128°)

34. Problem 8: Phasors
Convert the following items from phasor notation into its cosine equivalent. Express phases all values in radians where relavent.
530° with a frequency of 17 Hz
-183127° with a frequency of 100 Hz
15-32° with a frequency of 32 Hz
-2.672° with a frequency of 64 Hz