Analog and electronic circuits

What does a high Q (quality factor) of a resonant circuit mean?

  1. AA high resonant frequency
  2. BLow loss and a sharp resonant peak (narrow bandwidth)
  3. CHigh loss and wide bandwidth
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Answer: B. Low loss and a sharp resonant peak (narrow bandwidth)

Q expresses the sharpness of resonance and equals the resonant frequency divided by the bandwidth (Q = f0/Δf). A higher Q means lower loss, a sharper peak and a narrower bandwidth. Highly selective filters and stable oscillators require high Q.

  • A. Q expresses the sharpness of resonance, not the resonant frequency.
  • B. Correct. A higher Q means lower loss and a narrower band.
  • C. High loss lowers Q and widens the bandwidth.
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