Is 1 Second Equal to 1 Ohm Times 1 Farad in RC Circuits?

  • Thread starter Zifles
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In summary, To show that the RC circuit has dimensions of time, you can use Ohm's Law and the relation between charge, capacitance, and voltage. You can also expand out Ohm and Farad in terms of base units and simplify. The time constant, which is equal to R times C, confirms that RC must be in seconds. Additionally, for determining the dimensions of R and C, you can use Faraday's Law and express quantities such as volts and webers as dimensions.
  • #1
Zifles
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How can I show that the RC circuit has dimensions of time? 1 second = 1ohm x 1farad?
 
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  • #2
Expand out Ohm and Farad in terms of base units and simplify.
 
  • #3
time constant = R x C
 
  • #4
DaleSpam said:
Expand out Ohm and Farad in terms of base units and simplify.
Ohm's Law and the well-known relation between Q,C & V will help with that.

Or use technician's suggestion, but somehow that feels like a cheat to me.
 
  • #5
Redbelly98 said:
Ohm's Law and the well-known relation between Q,C & V will help with that.

Or use technician's suggestion, but somehow that feels like a cheat to me.
I agree! The time constant confirms that RC must be seconds but you do need to determine the dimensions of R and C.
You have a similar post regarding volts, webers and seconds. Faradays law gets you started but here also the quantities webers, volts etc need to be expressed as dimensions
 

1. What is the meaning of the equation "1 second = 1ohm x 1farad"?

The equation "1 second = 1ohm x 1farad" represents the relationship between time (measured in seconds), electrical resistance (measured in ohms), and electrical capacitance (measured in farads). It indicates that one second of time is equal to one ohm multiplied by one farad.

2. What is the significance of this equation in the field of science?

This equation is significant in the field of science because it helps to quantify the relationship between time and electrical properties. It is commonly used in the study of electrical circuits and can be applied in various fields such as electronics, engineering, and physics.

3. How is this equation derived?

The equation "1 second = 1ohm x 1farad" is derived from the fundamental laws of electricity, specifically Ohm's Law and the definition of capacitance. Ohm's Law states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance. Capacitance, on the other hand, is a measure of how much charge can be stored per unit of voltage. By combining these two principles, we arrive at the equation "1 second = 1ohm x 1farad".

4. Can this equation be applied in real-life scenarios?

Yes, this equation can be applied in real-life scenarios, particularly in the design and analysis of electrical systems. It is commonly used to calculate the time constant, which is the time it takes for a capacitor to charge or discharge to 63.2% of its maximum value. This is useful in determining the behavior and performance of various electronic devices.

5. Are there any limitations to this equation?

While this equation is a fundamental concept in the study of electricity, it is important to note that it is based on ideal conditions. In real-life scenarios, there may be factors such as resistance from wires and other components that can affect the accuracy of the equation. Additionally, it may not be applicable in more complex circuits with non-linear elements.

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