Phase Angle

A phase angle describes the phase shift that exists between total voltage and total electric current. Furthermore, in the voltage triangle, this matches the phase shift that is present between active voltage and total voltage. When it comes to the resistance triangle, the phase shift exists between the effective resistance vector and the impedance.

Introduction to Phase Angle

Phase angle refers to a particular point in the time of a cycle whose measurement takes place from some arbitrary zero and its expression is as an angle. Furthermore, a phase angle happens to be one of the most important characteristics of a periodic wave. A periodic wave is one whose displacement is characterized by a periodic variation with relation to distance or time or both.

The continuous repeating pattern of the periodic wave helps in the determination of its amplitude, period, and frequency. Furthermore, phase angle refers to the angular component periodic wave. Moreover, it is a complex quantity whose measurement takes place by angular units like degrees or radians.

How do we Measure Phase Angle?

When considering a periodic wave, the measurement of a phase angle can take place by using the following steps:

• The measurement of a phase angle can take place by measuring the number of units of angular measure that exists between the reference point and the point on the wave. Furthermore, the reference point can exist either on the same wave or on a different wave.
• One must choose the reference point from the projection of a rotating vector to the Argand diagram’s real axis.
• The value of the point on the abscissa corresponding to the point on the wave provides us with the phase angle of that particular point.
• In general, the plotting of the wave can take place on any standard coordinate system. Furthermore, one complete wave cycle has 360º of phase angle existing in the Cartesian plot.
• The phase angle plays a very important role in electronics where there is an involvement of voltage and various sinusoidal waves. In electronics, phase angle refers to the number of electrical degrees of lag or lead between the voltage and current waveforms in an ac circuit.

Relationships of Resonance Circuit

Experts call the resonance circuit as the RLC circuit. Furthermore, it consists of a capacitor, inductor, and resistor. Most noteworthy, the explanation of the voltage and current behaviour belonging to the RLC circuit with relation to phase is below:

Resistor: The current and voltage in the same phase in a resistor. Therefore, the phase differences between these quantities present in a resistor turns out to be zero.

Capacitor: The current and voltage present in a capacitor do not exist in the same phase with each other. The current in this equipment would lead the voltage by 90 degrees. Therefore, the phase difference between them in a capacitor is 90 degrees.

Inductor: When it comes to the inductor, the current and the voltage are not in the same phase with respect to each other. Furthermore, the voltage in this device is ahead of the electricity by 90 degrees. Therefore, the phase difference between the current and voltage turns out to be 90 degrees.

Formula of Phase Angle

A phase angle formula must be with respect to the periodic wave. This is because a phase angle is a periodic wave’s angular component. Furthermore, the representation of the periodic wave is by the following formula:

A∠θ

Where,

A refers to the magnitude

θ represents the phase angle

FAQs For Phase Angle

Question 1: Explain what is phase angle in physics?

Answer 1: A phase angle is a very important characteristic of a periodic wave. Furthermore, it tells us about the phase shift that is present between total voltage and total electric current. Also, the displacement of a periodic wave is characterized by a periodic variation with relation to distance or time or both.

Question 2: What is meant by phase difference?

Answer 2: In the context of a sine wave, a phase difference is simply the time interval by which one wave is said to be either ahead or behind waveform.  Furthermore, phase difference is a relative property of multiple waveforms. Moreover, the complete phase in any waveform happens to be 2π radians or 360 degrees.