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Ch 30: Electromagnetic Induction
Knight Calc - Physics for Scientists and Engineers 5th Edition
Knight Calc5th EditionPhysics for Scientists and EngineersISBN: 9780137344796Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 30, Problem 31

BIO An MRI machine needs to detect signals that oscillate at very high frequencies. It does so with an LC circuit containing a 15 mH coil. To what value should the capacitance be set to detect a 450 MHz signal?

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1
Start by recalling the formula for the resonant frequency of an LC circuit: f = \(\frac{1}{2\pi \sqrt{L C}\)}, where f is the resonant frequency, L is the inductance, and C is the capacitance.
Rearrange the formula to solve for the capacitance C: C = \(\frac{1}{(2\pi f)^2 L}\).
Substitute the given values into the formula. The inductance L is 15 mH, which is 15 \(\times\) 10^{-3} H, and the frequency f is 450 MHz, which is 450 \(\times\) 10^{6} Hz.
Calculate the term (2\(\pi\) f)^2 by first finding 2\(\pi\) f and then squaring the result.
Finally, divide 1 by the product of (2\(\pi\) f)^2 and L to find the capacitance C.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

LC Circuit

An LC circuit, consisting of an inductor (L) and a capacitor (C), is a fundamental electrical circuit used to generate oscillating signals. The inductor stores energy in a magnetic field, while the capacitor stores energy in an electric field. The oscillation frequency of the circuit is determined by the values of L and C, following the formula f = 1/(2π√(LC)), where f is the frequency in hertz.
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Resonant Frequency

The resonant frequency is the frequency at which an LC circuit naturally oscillates when not driven by an external force. At this frequency, the inductive and capacitive reactances are equal in magnitude but opposite in phase, resulting in maximum energy transfer. For an MRI machine, tuning the LC circuit to the resonant frequency of the desired signal is crucial for effective signal detection.
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Capacitance Calculation

To determine the required capacitance for a specific resonant frequency in an LC circuit, the formula C = 1/(4π²f²L) is used. Here, C is the capacitance in farads, f is the frequency in hertz, and L is the inductance in henries. By substituting the known values of frequency and inductance into this formula, one can calculate the necessary capacitance to achieve resonance at the desired signal frequency.
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