Instantaneous Current Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the instantaneous current (I(t)) is:

\[ I(t) = I_m \times \sin(w \times t) \]

Where:

\( I(t) \) is the instantaneous current (amps).
\( I_m \) is the maximum current (amps).
\( w \) is the angular frequency (rad/s).
\( t \) is the time (s).

What is Instantaneous Current?

Instantaneous current is the current flowing through a circuit at a specific moment in time. In an AC circuit, this value varies with time, following a sinusoidal pattern. The calculation of instantaneous current is important in understanding the behavior of AC circuits and the power consumed by electrical components over time.

Example Calculation

Consider an example where:

Maximum Current (I_m): 5 amps
Angular Frequency (w): 2π rad/s
Time (t): 0.1 s

Using the formula to calculate the instantaneous current:

\[ I(t) = 5 \times \sin(2\pi \times 0.1) \approx 5 \times \sin(0.2\pi) \approx 5 \times 0.5878 = 2.939 amps \]

This means that the instantaneous current at this time is approximately 2.939 amps.