Low-Pass Filters: Commentary on a Remark by Feynman

MaRDI QIDQ6469152zbMATH OpenFDO

Authors A. G. Ramm, O. L. Weaver

Publication date 23 April 2004

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Technical applications of optics and electromagnetic theory (78A55) Foundations in optics and electromagnetic theory (78A02) Waves and radiation in optics and electromagnetic theory (78A40)

Abstract: In Feynman's lectures there is a remark about the limiting value of the impedance of an n-section ladder consisting of purely reactive elements (capacitances and inductances). The remark is that this limiting impedance $z=li{m}_{noinfty}{z}_n$ has a positive real part. He notes that this is surprising since the real part of each $z_n$ is zero, therefore it is impossible for the limit to have a positive real part. A recent article in this journal offered an explanation of this paradox based on the fact that realistic impedances have a non-negative real part, but the authors noted that their argument was incomplete. We use the same physical idea, but give a simple argument which shows that the sequence $z_n$ converges like a geometric series. We also calculate the finite speed at which energy is propagated out into the infinite ladder.

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