Can a capacitor discharge itself through an ideal inductor?

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SUMMARY

A capacitor can discharge itself through an ideal inductor, resulting in energy transfer between the two components. The equations governing this behavior are C (du(t)/dt) = i(t) for the capacitor and L (di(t)/dt) = u(t) for the inductor. The energy transferred from the capacitor, W_C, is equal to the energy stored in the inductor, W_L, confirming that the current i(t_2) at the time of discharge is non-zero and can be expressed as i(t_2) = √(C/L) V, where V is the initial voltage across the capacitor.

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  • Understanding of capacitor and inductor equations
  • Knowledge of energy transfer in electrical circuits
  • Familiarity with calculus, specifically integration
  • Basic concepts of electrical energy storage
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Can a capacitor discharge itself through an ideal inductor ? If yes state the reason , if No how will the charge on the capacitor will behave ?
 
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That sounds like homework - what do you think the answer is?
 
So the capacitor equation is:

[tex]C \frac{du(t)}{dt} = i(t)[/tex]

where u - voltage, i - current, C capacitance

And for inductor:

[tex]L \frac{di(t)}{dt} = u(t)[/tex]

L - inductance

The energy transferred from capacitor to the circuit is given by:

[tex]W_C = - \int_{t_1}^{t_2} u(t)i(t)dt = C \int_{t_2}^{t_1} u(t)du = \left.\frac{1}{2} C u^2(t)\right|^{t_1}_{t_2} = \frac{1}{2} Cu^2(t_1) - \frac{1}{2} Cu^2(t_2)[/tex]

The energy transferred to inductor is given by (similarly):

[tex]W_L = \frac{1}{2} Li^2(t_2) - \frac{1}{2} Li^2(t_1)[/tex]

Obviously the energy transferred from capacitor is accumulated in inductor so:

[tex]W_C = W_L[/tex]

If we assume that inductor is discharged in the instant [tex]t_1[/tex] then [tex]i(t_1) = 0[/tex], and capacitor is charged to the volgate [tex]v(t_1) = V[/tex]. Assume that the capacitor is discharged in in [tex]t_2[/tex] instant. From the energy ballance we get the current:

[tex]i(t_2) = \sqrt{\frac{C}{L}} V[/tex]

Which is obviously different than 0. From this observation you get the answer to your question.
 

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