Capacitance, switches, and lightbulbs oh my

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of a lightbulb in a circuit containing a capacitor, battery, and switch. When the switch is closed, the capacitor begins to charge, and the lightbulb will initially glow as current flows from the battery. However, once the capacitor reaches full charge, the current flow ceases, and the lightbulb will turn off. The key takeaway is that the lightbulb's illumination is dependent on the charging state of the capacitor.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electrical circuits
  • Knowledge of capacitor charging behavior
  • Familiarity with Ohm's Law
  • Concept of current flow in series and parallel circuits
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of capacitor discharge and its effect on circuit components
  • Learn about RC (resistor-capacitor) circuits and their time constants
  • Explore the role of switches in electrical circuits
  • Investigate the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in circuits
USEFUL FOR

Students studying electrical engineering, hobbyists working with circuits, and educators teaching fundamental concepts of electricity and electronics.

goWlfpack
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Homework Statement



The capacitor in the figure below has a large capacitance and is initially uncharged. After the switch is closed, what happens to the lightbulb?


You can't paste the figure but it is a circuit with a capacitor paralled to a battery and in series with a lightbulb. a open switch is in parallel with the lightbulb and in series with the battery.




Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I think it will glow continuously as the capacitor receives energy from the battery and as long at the switch remains closed the lightbulb should stay on right??
or does it only glow when the capacitor is fully charged??
 
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goWlfpack said:

Homework Statement



The capacitor in the figure below has a large capacitance and is initially uncharged. After the switch is closed, what happens to the lightbulb?


You can't paste the figure but it is a circuit with a capacitor paralled to a battery and in series with a lightbulb. a open switch is in parallel with the lightbulb and in series with the battery.


The Attempt at a Solution



I think it will glow continuously as the capacitor receives energy from the battery and as long at the switch remains closed the lightbulb should stay on right??
or does it only glow when the capacitor is fully charged??

When the capacitor is fully charged, how much current is flowing?
 

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