Analyzing Energy Distribution in a Charging Circuit | Figure 28.19

[Lewis]

Hello, I'd really appreciate a hand with this question. The text of the question follows and there is an attachment with the referenced figure at the end. Thanks very much.

A battery is used to charge a capacitor through a resistor, as shown in Figure 28.19. Show that half the energy supplied by the battery is stored as internal energy in the resistor, and that half is stored in the capacitor.

 

[joe_andersen]

you can get i(t) from the basic equations. then, integrate the heat dissipated in the resistor (that's what they mean by internal energy, if I understand correctly) - which depends upon the current - from time zero to time infinity. This should end up being equal to the energy stored in a fully charged capacitor.



Joe Andersen

Your Guide to Physics: http://physicguide.blogspot.com
Train to end Stroke:
http://myspace.com/traintoendstroke
Cheapskate - group buying discounts: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cheapskate/
Freecycle - give away and get free stuff: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/freecycleboston/

jaanders@fas.harvard.edu