Capacitor and voltage source in one?

In summary: I don't understand how that works, could you please clarify?In summary, the capacitor stores electrical energy and when there is no current flowing, the voltage across the capacitor is 100 V. When you take a capacitor and connect it to a resistor, the resistor dissipates the energy by heat.
  • #1
~christina~
Gold Member
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Homework Statement


Consider circuit below.

(a)Use integral calculus to determine how much heat is generated through R when switch S is closed.

(b)Derive the expressions for the charge q(t) and the current i(t) as functions of time, for the discharging capacitor in the circuit.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/134/picture5fy6.th.jpg

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



First of all I'm not sure what the capacitor is or the voltage source is. Is it a battery or a capacitor??
It seems that it is one and both, but how can this be?

Please help.
 
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  • #2
The voltage source in the circuit is the capacitor. All a voltage source does is provide a potential difference across the circuit, in this case the potential difference is provided by the potential across the plates of the capacitor.
 
  • #3
Hootenanny said:
The voltage source in the circuit is the capacitor. All a voltage source does is provide a potential difference across the circuit, in this case the potential difference is provided by the potential across the plates of the capacitor.

for part a where I have to

(a)Use integral calculus to determine how much heat is generated through R when switch S is closed.

I know
[tex]\Delta Vo= 100V [/tex]
[tex]C= 20x10^{-6} F [/tex]
[tex] R= ? [/tex]

and that [tex]E_{int}= Q [/tex] in a resistor (heat produced), and thus the heat that is generated is in the form of the internal energy that builds up in the resistor.
And also that the rate at which the energy is converted to heat in the resistor is
[tex] P= I \Delta V [/tex]

but as to the equation I'm not sure how to set it up.

I also don't know R or is it not necessary to know R?

Thanks
 
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  • #4
Here's what happened:
You connected your capacitor to a voltage source with 100 V ..
After long time, when no current flows, the voltage across cap is 100 V
(This is step response)

and now, you take capacitor and connect to a resistor (second thevenian circuit)
you u know
i = C.dv/dt
so, i does not change intially, but v makes a sudden jump
use x(t) = .. equation
(see Natural response section in your book .. you will see detailed steps)

and you don't need to know R,
where does the energy lost from the capacitor is going?
Ans: to R
and using conservation of energy
 
  • #5
rootX said:
Here's what happened:
You connected your capacitor to a voltage source with 100 V ..
After long time, when no current flows, the voltage across cap is 100 V
(This is step response)
I get that. and it's because there is no current flow at the time when the capacitor is fully charged.
and now, you take capacitor and connect to a resistor (second thevenian circuit)
I don't get this. Isn't there only 1 switch there? so how do I take the capacitor and connect it to the resistor if the capacitor is already connected to the resistor since it produces the potential difference in the first place?

you u know
i = C.dv/dt
yes
so, i does not change intially, but v makes a sudden jump
how does v make a sudden jump if the current is decreasing? and the V is increasing at the same rate? (I think that's what happens when you charge a capcitor)
use x(t) = .. equation
(see Natural response section in your book .. you will see detailed steps)
I can't find that, it would be in which section exactly?(under what topic..under electricity and circuits)
and you don't need to know R,
where does the energy lost from the capacitor is going?
Ans: to R
and using conservation of energy

Thanks.
 
  • #6
~christina~ said:
how does v make a sudden jump if the current is decreasing? and the V is increasing at the same rate? (I think that's what happens when you charge a capcitor)

Thanks.

ook, say makes a negative jump :rolleyes:

I can't find that, it would be in which section exactly?(under what topic..under electricity and circuits)
If you are using physics book, then just forget about this.
If you are electrical, and using electric circuits book then it shouldn't be hard

See page 2 (Transients) for quick solution:
http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~ece100/Final_W08_formulas.pdf

OR

and see my prof notes (for finding x(t) ... ) for little 30 seconds explanation:
http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~ece100/
---> http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~ece100/Canizares_notes/
---> http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~ece100/Canizares_notes/SummaryRL_RC_AC.pdf
(this is what you need: a 5 minutes read)
 
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  • #7
rootX said:
ook, say makes a negative jump :rolleyes:

If you are using physics book, then just forget about this.
If you are electrical, and using electric circuits book then it shouldn't be hard
I'm using a physics book.
See page 2 (Transients) for quick solution:
http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~ece100/Final_W08_formulas.pdf

OR

and see my prof notes (for finding x(t) ... ) for little 30 seconds explanation:
http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~ece100/
---> http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~ece100/Canizares_notes/
---> http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~ece100/Canizares_notes/SummaryRL_RC_AC.pdf
(this is what you need: a 5 minutes read)

I'm even more confused now. I read the 2nd link and just got through 1/2.
It helped but I got up to power and then capacitor later. Then the notes mention energy in a capacitor as being [tex]W_{c}(t)= 1/2 CV^2(t)= 1/2 \frac{q^2(t)} {c} [/tex] (pg 77 second link)and since you said that all the energy goes from the capacitor to the resistor does this happen with this situation and thus the energy can be calculated from the above equation??

and I don't know what the notation of x(t) is supposed to be anyhow. even though I read the derivation which wasn't really a derivation in the first place.

BUT I do have a derivation in my book of the enrgy that is delivered to a resistor during the time interval it is discharged after it is charged to full potential difference of a battery.
The equation that is solved is [tex]E_r= 1/2 C \epsilon^2 [/tex]

is this the same as what I'm asked above, where I have to find the heat but the heat is from the energy that the resistor gets from the capacitor?.

Thanks.

Note: if anyone would like to help me out on this problem it'd be appreciated.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #8
~christina~ said:
BUT I do have a derivation in my book of the enrgy that is delivered to a resistor during the time interval it is discharged after it is charged to full potential difference of a battery.
The equation that is solved is [tex]E_r= 1/2 C \epsilon^2 [/tex]

is this the same as what I'm asked above, where I have to find the heat but the heat is from the energy that the resistor gets from the capacitor?.
You are correct, all the energy stored in the electric field by the capacitor will be dissipated by the resistor as heat.
 
  • #9
Hootenanny said:
You are correct, all the energy stored in the electric field by the capacitor will be dissipated by the resistor as heat.

so would the amount of heat be

[tex]E_r= 1/2 C \epsilon^2 = 1/2(20x10^{-6})(100V)^2= 0.1J[/tex] ?
 
  • #10
~christina~ said:
so would the amount of heat be

[tex]E_r= 1/2 C \epsilon^2 = 1/2(20x10^{-6})(100V)^2= 0.1J[/tex] ?
Looks good to me :approve:
 

What is a capacitor and a voltage source?

A capacitor is an electronic component that stores electrical energy in the form of an electric field. A voltage source, on the other hand, is a device that provides a constant potential difference between two points, which can be used to power electrical circuits.

Can a capacitor and a voltage source be combined into one device?

Yes, it is possible to have a capacitor and a voltage source in one device. This type of device is known as an electrolytic capacitor, which uses an electrolyte solution as its dielectric material and can store a large amount of energy in a small space.

What are the advantages of having a capacitor and a voltage source in one device?

Having a capacitor and a voltage source in one device can save space and reduce the number of components needed in a circuit. It can also provide a stable and reliable source of energy, as the capacitor helps to regulate the voltage output of the source.

What are the common applications of a capacitor and a voltage source in one device?

Electrolytic capacitors with integrated voltage sources are commonly used in electronic devices such as power supplies, audio amplifiers, and motor control circuits. They are also used in energy storage systems, such as in batteries and solar panels.

What factors should be considered when choosing a capacitor and a voltage source in one device?

The capacity and voltage rating of the device should be considered, as well as the type of electrolyte used and the ambient temperature it will be operating in. Other factors to consider include the size and cost of the device, as well as its intended application.

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