Resistor connected in series with a capacitor?

In summary, a resistor and capacitor connected in series form a simple circuit known as an RC circuit. The resistor controls the flow of current, while the capacitor stores and releases electrical charge. This type of circuit is commonly used in filters, timers, and signal processing applications. The overall resistance in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual resistances, and the overall capacitance is equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the individual capacitances. This relationship allows for precise control and manipulation of the electrical signals in the circuit.
  • #1
gunblaze
187
0
Pls help..

If i have a capacitor of capacitance 3uF connected in series with a resistor, what will the potential difference across the 1ohm resistor when the EMF is 6V?

Is the answer a zero? If yes, why? is it becoz the capacitor itself have make the circuit a open circuit such that no current will be able to reach the resistor? If no, why?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
My question would be at what time? This is a series RC circuit, and the voltages depend on how much time passes after you apply the 6 volts.

V(c) = Vcc (1-e^-(t/rc))

V(r) = Vcc * e^-(t/rc)
 
  • #3
if it was stated that the capacitance were charged fully? No time were stated.
 
  • #4
Well.. there must be some kind of qualification as to time. If the circuit has been connected a very long time, you could solve it by making t very very large. The equations do model the behavior of the circuit quite nicely.
 
Last edited:

1. What is the purpose of connecting a resistor in series with a capacitor?

Connecting a resistor in series with a capacitor creates an RC circuit, which is commonly used in electronics to control the flow of electric current and voltage. The resistor helps to limit the current and discharge the capacitor, which can be useful in applications such as signal filtering, timing circuits, and power supply smoothing.

2. How does the resistor affect the charging and discharging of the capacitor in a series connection?

The resistor determines the rate at which the capacitor charges and discharges. A larger resistor will result in a slower charging and discharging process, while a smaller resistor will result in a faster process. This is because the resistor controls the flow of current, which directly affects the rate of change in voltage across the capacitor.

3. What is the behavior of the RC circuit when an AC voltage is applied?

When an AC voltage is applied to an RC circuit, the capacitor will charge and discharge in response to the changing voltage. The resistor will also affect the amplitude and phase of the voltage across the capacitor. This behavior can be used in applications such as signal filtering and phase shifting.

4. How does the time constant of an RC circuit change with different resistor and capacitor values?

The time constant of an RC circuit, represented by the symbol τ, is the amount of time it takes for the capacitor to charge to approximately 63% of its maximum voltage. It is calculated by multiplying the resistance (R) in ohms by the capacitance (C) in farads (τ=RC). A larger resistor or capacitor will result in a longer time constant, while a smaller resistor or capacitor will result in a shorter time constant.

5. What happens to the voltage across the capacitor when the circuit is open?

When the circuit is open, there is no path for the current to flow, so the capacitor will retain its charge and the voltage across it will remain constant. However, over time the capacitor will slowly discharge through any leakage resistance present in the circuit. This is known as self-discharge and can be a consideration in certain applications.

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