Correct statement about series RC circuit

In summary: Yes, the current will be the same through both elements, as there is no other way current can flow.Thank you very much ehild.
  • #1
songoku
2,294
325

Homework Statement


The battery is disconnected from a series RC circuit after the capacitor is fully charged and is replaced by an open switch. When the switch is closed,
a. the capacitor does not allow current to pass
b. the current stops in the resistor
c. the potential difference across the resistor is always greater than the potential difference across the capacitor
d. the potential difference across the resistor is always less than the potential difference across the capacitor
e. the potential difference across the resistor is always equal to the potential difference across the capacitor

Homework Equations


Not used

The Attempt at a Solution


I think the answer is between (d) or (e).

(d) if there is potential drop across the wire connecting the resistor and capacitor, (e) if no potential drop considered. Maybe the best answer is (d)?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
songoku said:

Homework Statement


The battery is disconnected from a series RC circuit after the capacitor is fully charged and is replaced by an open switch. When the switch is closed,
a. the capacitor does not allow current to pass
b. the current stops in the resistor
c. the potential difference across the resistor is always greater than the potential difference across the capacitor
d. the potential difference across the resistor is always less than the potential difference across the capacitor
e. the potential difference across the resistor is always equal to the potential difference across the capacitor

Homework Equations


Not used

The Attempt at a Solution


I think the answer is between (d) or (e).

(d) if there is potential drop across the wire connecting the resistor and capacitor, (e) if no potential drop considered. Maybe the best answer is (d)?

Thanks
You can consider the wire as part of the resistor.
 
  • #3
ehild said:
You can consider the wire as part of the resistor.
If the questions asks about current, the current through resistor will always be equal to capacitor because they are in series?

Thanks
 
  • #4
songoku said:
If the questions asks about current, the current through resistor will always be equal to capacitor because they are in series?

Thanks
Yes, the current will be the same through both elements, as there is no other way current can flow.
 
  • #5
Thank you very much ehild
 

1. What is a series RC circuit?

A series RC circuit is a type of electrical circuit that consists of a resistor (R) and a capacitor (C) connected in series with each other. This means that the current flowing through the circuit passes through both the resistor and the capacitor in sequence.

2. How does a series RC circuit behave?

A series RC circuit behaves as a low-pass filter, meaning it allows low-frequency signals to pass through while attenuating high-frequency signals. It also has a time constant, which determines the rate at which the capacitor charges and discharges.

3. What is the relationship between the resistor, capacitor, and time constant in a series RC circuit?

The time constant (T) of a series RC circuit is equal to the product of the resistance (R) and capacitance (C), i.e. T = RC. This means that the value of the resistor and capacitor directly affect the rate at which the capacitor charges and discharges.

4. What happens to the current and voltage in a series RC circuit?

In a series RC circuit, the voltage across the resistor and capacitor will vary depending on the frequency of the input signal. At low frequencies, the voltage drop across the resistor will be larger, while at high frequencies, the voltage drop across the capacitor will be larger. The current in the circuit will also vary depending on the frequency, but it will always be in phase with the voltage across the resistor.

5. How does adding more components affect a series RC circuit?

Adding more components, such as additional resistors or capacitors, to a series RC circuit will change its overall impedance and alter its frequency response. This can make the circuit more complex to analyze, but it can also provide additional filtering capabilities or change the time constant of the circuit.

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