Calculating net change of capacitor charge in a circuit

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the net change of capacitor charge in a circuit involving various circuit parameters and the behavior of the circuit when a switch is toggled. Participants explore circuit theorems and methods to analyze the circuit under different switch states, focusing on the stationary states of the capacitor charge.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in solving the problem despite knowing the current and some circuit parameters, indicating a lack of information about the capacitor's capacitance.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on whether a specific voltage (E3) is an unknown quantity.
  • A participant confirms that several component values remain unknown, including E1, R4, R5, R7, R8, and the capacitor (C).
  • One participant describes a solution approach involving the use of Norton and Thevenin equivalents, Millman's theorem, and proportionality relationships to derive the change in capacitor charge.
  • The solution presented includes calculations for the capacitor charge when the switch is closed and opened, leading to a specific change in charge of -0.6 µC.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the unknown components and the approach to solving the problem, but there is no consensus on the initial methods or the completeness of the solution until the final calculations are presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the challenges of solving circuit problems with incomplete information and the reliance on various circuit theorems. The specific values of some components remain unresolved, which may affect the overall analysis.

irrationally
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Homework Statement


This problem apparently has a simple solution if you are good with circuit theorems but no matter what i try or how i combine them, it's just impossible. Given a circuit on the picture, and circuit parameters E3=12V,R1=1kΩ,R2=30Ω,R3=150Ω,R6=200Ω, if it is known that current I1 = 60 mA when the switch (P) is closed, calculate the net change of capacitor charge between switch states ( switch is first closed, and then opened - there is also a time delay between switch changes so we are only interested in stationary states).
EDIT: Capacitor charge for when switch is closed is Q=-2 µC
EDIT: Thanks gneill, I made a mistake. E3 is known, not E1

5r31L.png


Homework Equations


Ohm's law - U = R*I
Current devider
Thevenein and Norton theorem
Superposition theorem
Node potential method
Mesh current method ( i doub't this is useful in this example )[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


I did try but i just can't get anything useful. I don't even have capacitor capacitance so i can't calculate voltage (Uab). Millman's theorem came to mind ( for when the switch is open, we can calculate voltage U1 in at the end of edge with E3, and then compensate that edge with an ideal voltage generator with EMS equal to U1. From here, since there is no current flow trough the capacitor, we have a single generator connected to a resistor network but we don't know 4 out of 5 resistors' resistances) but it seems like a dead end. As for the situation with switch closed, that's even worse. No matter what i do, I just can;t "reach the capacitor" ...
 
Last edited:
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Is E3 also an unknown quantity?
 
I updated the question. E3 is known, not E1. I apologize.
 
So to confirm, unknown component values are:
E1
R4
R5
R7
R8
C
 
Yes, that is correct.
 
I solved the task.
First i considered the case with the closed switch
First edge ( all orientation is from the left) can be replaced with an ideal current generator with current I= I1. Now, edge one and two (which form a Norton generator) can be converted into a Thevenin generator with ems Et =I1R2, and resistance R2. Now, by using Millman's theorem, we can find the voltage Um at the ends of edge with E3. We can compensate this edge (and everything left from it ) with a compensatory ideal voltage generator with ems Ec = Um. Theorem of proportionality says that voltage Uc ( voltage at the ends of capacitor) is proportional to Ec i.e. Uc=a*Ec. We don't have this voltage but since Q = C*U, and capacitance C is constant, we can conclude that charge is also proportional to Ec i.e. Qc = b*Ec. From here we can calculate the proportionality constant b.

Now the case with switch closed ( all values that have changed are marked with ' , e.g. U' :
There is no current flow trough edge one so it can be compensated with a current generator with current 0. We do not need to look at this edge any more. Now , again, we use Millman's theorem for to find the Um' andn eventually Ec'. This is all we need and now we can simply calculate Qc' = b * Ec' . This yeald a result of Qc' - Qc = -0.6 µC.
 

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