Resonance Frequency Calculator

Enter values for two of the following fields (using SI units: Farads for capacitance, Henries for inductance, and Hertz for frequency). Leave the field you want to calculate blank. | Formulas

Capacitance is measured in farads (F). It represents the ability of a component to store electrical charge.


Inductance is measured in henries (H). It determines how much voltage is induced for a given rate of change of current.


Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz). It defines how many cycles per second the oscillating signal completes.


Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω). It refers to the circuit’s total opposition to current flow and is used to calculate the quality factor (Q).


Voltage is measured in volts (V). This refers to the peak voltage across the capacitor, which is used to calculate stored energy.


Current is measured in amperes (A). This is the peak current flowing through the inductor, used to compute its stored energy.


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Resonance Calculator Features

Theoretical Foundations of the Resonance Calculator

This calculator is based on well-established principles of electromagnetism, circuit theory, and resonance phenomena. It provides scientifically accurate computations for LC circuits using the following fundamental theories.


Resonant Frequency of an LC Circuit

The natural frequency of a series or parallel LC circuit is determined using: \[ f = \frac{1}{2\pi\sqrt{L C}} \] Derived from Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL) and the governing differential equation of an LC oscillator: \[ L \frac{d^2q}{dt^2} + \frac{q}{C} = 0 \] which has a harmonic solution where the oscillation frequency is: \[ \omega_0 = \frac{1}{\sqrt{LC}}, \quad f = \frac{\omega_0}{2\pi} \]


Impedance and Reactance Theory

In AC circuit analysis, reactance is frequency-dependent: \[ X_C = \frac{1}{\omega C}, \quad X_L = \omega L \] At resonance, their magnitudes cancel in a series LC circuit, making it behave as a pure resistor.


Resonance in a Parallel LC Circuit

Unlike a series LC circuit, a parallel LC circuit exhibits infinite impedance at resonance. The impedance at resonance is given by: \[ Z_{\text{parallel}} = \frac{L}{RC} \] where \( R \) represents the equivalent resistance of the circuit.


Wavelength and Frequency Relation

The wavelength corresponding to the calculated frequency is: \[ \lambda = \frac{c}{f} \] where \( c \) is the speed of light (\( 3.00 \times 10^8 \) m/s). This is important for radio frequencies and electromagnetic wave propagation.


Quality Factor & Bandwidth

The Quality Factor (Q) quantifies energy loss in a resonant circuit. A higher \( Q \) means lower energy dissipation and a sharper resonance peak.

For a series LC circuit:

\[ Q_{\text{series}} = \frac{1}{R} \sqrt{\frac{L}{C}} \]

For a parallel LC circuit:

\[ Q_{\text{parallel}} = R \sqrt{\frac{C}{L}} \]

The Bandwidth (BW) of the circuit, which determines how sharply it responds to its resonant frequency, is given by:

\[ BW = \frac{f_0}{Q} \]


Voltage and Current Response

The voltage and current in an LC circuit oscillate sinusoidally: \[ V_L = L \frac{di}{dt}, \quad V_C = \frac{1}{C} \int i \, dt \] In a damped resonant circuit (when resistance \( R \) is present), the current follows: \[ I = I_0 e^{-\frac{R}{2L}t} \cos (\omega_d t + \phi) \] where: \[ \omega_d = \sqrt{\frac{1}{LC} - \left(\frac{R}{2L}\right)^2} \] If \( R \) is too high, the system becomes **overdamped** and does not oscillate.


Energy Storage and Dissipation

The energy stored in an LC circuit fluctuates between the capacitor and inductor: \[ U_C = \frac{1}{2} C V^2, \quad U_L = \frac{1}{2} L I^2 \] The energy lost per cycle is given by: \[ \Delta U = \frac{U}{Q} \] where \( Q \) represents the quality factor.


Nonlinear Resonance and Chaos

Real LC circuits have losses, making them behave as damped oscillators: \[ L \frac{d^2q}{dt^2} + R \frac{dq}{dt} + \frac{q}{C} = 0 \] The presence of resistance leads to a decaying oscillation over time.

Under strong external forcing, an LC circuit can exhibit **nonlinear resonance**, following the Duffing equation: \[ L \frac{d^2q}{dt^2} + R \frac{dq}{dt} + \alpha q + \beta q^3 = 0 \] Here:

Some nonlinear LC circuits follow the Duffing oscillator equation: \[ L \frac{d^2q}{dt^2} + R \frac{dq}{dt} + \alpha q + \beta q^3 = 0 \] leading to bifurcations and chaotic behavior in certain conditions.


Why This Calculator is Scientifically Valid

Further Reading & Scientific Sources

Maxwell's Equations - Scientific Papers and Resources