Calculating Time to Discharge Capacitor to 3V

In summary, the problem is to determine the time it takes for a capacitor with a capacitance of 1.5E-6F and a resistance of 1E3ohms to discharge from an initial voltage of 25v to a final voltage of 3v. Using the equations T=RC and v=Vi*e^(t/T), the time constant is calculated to be 1.5E-3s. Solving for t, it is found that t = Cln(A/B). However, there seems to be confusion about whether to solve for t or use a normalised universal time constant curve to estimate time.
  • #1
Rupturez
6
0

Homework Statement


Determine how long it takes the capacitor to discharge to a value of 3v
C=1.5E-6F
R=1E3ohms
Vi=25v
Vf=3v


Homework Equations


T=RC
v=Vi*e^(t/T)



The Attempt at a Solution


T=1000*1.5E-6
T=1.5E-3s

Vf(3v) is 12% of the initial 25v

Im having trouble solving for time with this equation v=Vi*e^(t/T)

many thanks in advance
 
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  • #2
Should I be solving for t or using a normalised universal timeconstant(RC) curve to estimate time?
 
  • #3
Rupturez said:

Homework Statement


Determine how long it takes the capacitor to discharge to a value of 3v
C=1.5E-6F
R=1E3ohms
Vi=25v
Vf=3v


Homework Equations


T=RC
v=Vi*e^(t/T)



The Attempt at a Solution


T=1000*1.5E-6
T=1.5E-3s

Vf(3v) is 12% of the initial 25v

Im having trouble solving for time with this equation v=Vi*e^(t/T)

many thanks in advance

Firstly [itex] V = V_i e^{-t/T}[/itex] there's a negative sign reflecting the decay of the voltage... it doesn't grow!

Secondly solving this for t is basic algebra, apply inverse operations until you isolate t.
[itex] A = B e^{t/C}[/itex]
[itex]A/B = e^{t/C}[/itex]
[itex]\ln(A/B) = t/C[/itex]
[itex]C\ln(A/B) = t[/itex]
 
  • #4
Thanking you jambaugh
 
  • #5


I would approach this problem by using the equation T=RC, where T is the time constant, R is the resistance, and C is the capacitance. In this case, T=1000*1.5E-6=1.5E-3s. This means that it will take approximately 1.5 milliseconds for the capacitor to discharge to 1/e (approximately 37%) of its initial voltage.

To calculate the time it takes for the capacitor to discharge to 3V, we can use the equation v=Vi*e^(t/T), where v is the voltage at any given time, Vi is the initial voltage, and t is the time. In this case, we know that v=3V, Vi=25V, and T=1.5E-3s. We can rearrange the equation to solve for t, giving us t=T*ln(v/Vi)=1.5E-3*ln(3/25)≈0.00047 seconds.

It's important to note that this is an ideal calculation and may not perfectly match the actual time it takes for the capacitor to discharge in real-world conditions. Factors such as internal resistance, leakage, and fluctuations in the power source can affect the actual discharge time.
 

FAQ: Calculating Time to Discharge Capacitor to 3V

What is a capacitor and how does it discharge?

A capacitor is an electronic component that stores electrical energy. When a capacitor is charged, it has a positive and negative side, and there is a potential difference between the two sides. When the capacitor is connected to a circuit, it will discharge its stored energy until the potential difference between the two sides is equal.

Why is it important to calculate the time to discharge a capacitor to 3V?

Calculating the time to discharge a capacitor to 3V is important because it allows us to determine how long it will take for the capacitor to reach a safe voltage level. This is especially important in electronic circuits where a certain voltage level is required for the circuit to function properly.

What factors affect the time it takes for a capacitor to discharge to 3V?

The time it takes for a capacitor to discharge to 3V is affected by the capacitance of the capacitor, the resistance of the circuit it is connected to, and the initial voltage of the capacitor. A higher capacitance or lower resistance will result in a longer discharge time, while a higher initial voltage will result in a shorter discharge time.

How can I calculate the time it takes for a capacitor to discharge to 3V?

The time it takes for a capacitor to discharge to 3V can be calculated using the formula t = RC ln(Vi/Vf), where t is the time, R is the resistance of the circuit, C is the capacitance of the capacitor, Vi is the initial voltage, and Vf is the final voltage (in this case, 3V).

Can I speed up the discharge time of a capacitor to 3V?

Yes, there are a few ways to speed up the discharge time of a capacitor to 3V. One way is to increase the resistance of the circuit, which will result in a shorter discharge time. Another way is to decrease the capacitance of the capacitor, which will also result in a shorter discharge time. Additionally, you can discharge the capacitor through a resistor or a short-circuit to speed up the process.

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