- #1
bp_psy
- 469
- 8
Homework Statement
This is not an actual homework problem but this appears in a couple of more complicated problems that deal with RC circuits and Kirchhoff's laws.The connection consists of a capacitor in series with a resistor. My question is: will the capacitor be instantly charged when the circuit is closed or will it take a certain amount of time for it to charge? Will it remain uncharged?
Homework Equations
https://www.physicsforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18127&d=1237862861
C=Q/Vab
q=Q(1-e-t/RC)
i=Ie-t/RC
The Attempt at a Solution
From the equations and the fact once the circuit is closed the potential difference Vab will be IR=E I am lead to believe that the capacitor will be instantly charged but the instantly part does not seem right to me.I do not think it is possible for the capacitor to remain uncharged since the potential difference between a and b will surely induce a charge in the capacitor.