# Amplitude vs Magnitude

Consider the relation between the output and input voltages: $$V_o=\frac{V_i}{2}(j-1)$$ where j is an imaginary number, and $$V_i=5sin(1000t)$$ Now, to find the amplitude of $$\ V_o \$$, should we look at the real part, i.e., $$\frac{-V_i}{2}=\frac{-5}{2}sin(1000t)$$ and say that the amplitude is.$$\frac{5}{2}$$

OR should we take the magnitude of $$\frac{V_o}{V_i}$$ and say that the amplitude is $$\mid V_o\mid= \mid V_i \mid\mid \frac{1}{2}(j-1) \mid$$ where $$\mid V_i \mid = 5$$

• Note that Vi is a voltage but Vo/Vi is a unitless number so they measure different things. Amplitude is measured in volts, so that rules out using Vo/Vi. – ErikR Jun 16 at 12:11
• Either use polar notation or complex notation, but don't mix the two. – Chu Jun 16 at 13:09
• @DomTesilbirthShira please formally accept one answer or raise a comment if further clarification is needed. To understand what I say read this and note that questions that are adequately answered need formal recognition that they are completed. – Andy aka Jul 11 at 8:54

## 2 Answers

Complex notation is a useful representation of a real-world signal, which itself does not contain any imaginary part. So, in complex notation:

• Amplitude is the magnitude of the complex number (btw as Andy says, you lost a square root along the way)

• Phase is the argument of the complex number

Splitting the real and imaginary parts is useful for other things. For example:

• If the variable is a power, then the real and imaginary parts correspond to active power and reactive power.

• If you use IQ demodulation, and multiply your signal with a sine and a cosine, the averaged and lowpass-filtered outputs of these two multipliers will correspond to the real and imaginary parts of the complex variable that represents your signal.

• Write your numbers preferably ... real part first, then imaginary ... – user288518 Jun 16 at 11:19

Now, to find the amplitude of Vo, should we look at the real part

Not if you are aiming to find the magnitude of $$\V_o\$$. The magnitude of $$\1-j\$$ is $$\\sqrt2\$$ and so, the peak magnitude of $$\V_o\$$ is $$\\dfrac{5}{\sqrt2}\$$. The RMS value will of course be 2.5 because you divide the peak magnitude by $$\\sqrt2\$$.

The term amplitude is not really that well defined if you want to be pedantic.

OR should we take the magnitude of $$\\dfrac{V_o}{V_i}\$$

That would be the peak gain of the circuit and isn't really relevant as far as I can tell. I mean, in terms of what you appear to be asking about, it doesn't appear relevant.