AC RC finding voltages before/after switch

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on analyzing voltage drops in a DC circuit involving a capacitor and a switch. Initially, with the switch in position 1, the capacitor acts as an open circuit, resulting in a voltage drop V0(0-) of 3V and Vc(0) of 12V. Upon switching to position 2 at t=0, the capacitor behaves as a short circuit, causing V0(0+) to drop to 0V. The time constant is calculated as t=RC=300μs, and after 5 time constants, V0(t>5tc) returns to 3V.

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marstery
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The problem is in bold and my logic/answers/questions are below. Please check my logic and any help with my uncertainties would be...well, helpful. thx

The switch has been in position 1 for a long time. Determine the voltage drop Vc(0) and V0(0-).

Since it has been a long time the capacitor acts as an open circuit so the current through the capacitor is 0ma and the current around the outer window is 12v/4k=3ma so V0(0-) is 3v. Current Ic is zero but was flowing to the right (contrary to the arrow drawn). Vc(0) is 12v since it has been a long time and the capacitor has charged fully.

The switch is thrown to position two at t=0. What is V0(0+)?


At t=0 the capacitor acts as a short and discharges in the direction that Ic is drawn. I3 is now 4ma. Since the cap is a short does all of the current flow into the cap so that V0(0+) is 0v for that moment?

Find the time constant and V0(t>5tc).

t=RC=3k*0.1 [tex]\mu[\tex]f=300[tex]\mu[\tex] s and after 5tc the capacitor is once again fully charged so all of the current is going the R1 and R2 so that V0(t>5tc) is 3v again.<br /> <br /> <b>write an expression for V0(t>=0)</b><br /> <br /> it will look like a logarithmic curve starting at 0 and leveling at (3 or -3v??) after 5tc, but i don't really know the eq for it.[/tex][/tex]
 
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here's the diagram...and I am not sure why latex didnt work...and i just realized i titled the thread AC, but its DC. sorry 'bout that
 

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