Discussion Overview
The discussion centers on the charging and discharging behavior of capacitors in an RC circuit, specifically whether a capacitor fully charges or discharges within a time frame of 5RC, as described by the relevant formulas. The conversation includes both theoretical and practical aspects of capacitor behavior in response to a DC power source.
Discussion Character
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Ramone questions if a capacitor charges and discharges according to the calculated RC time constant and whether it fully charges/discharges at 5RC.
- Corneo asserts that after 5RC, the voltage across the capacitor will be very close to its final value.
- Another participant clarifies that while the voltage will be close to the final value after 5RC, it does not fully reach it, noting specific voltage percentages at each RC interval during discharge.
- This participant emphasizes that the decay continues indefinitely, with the voltage being below 1% of its starting point after 5RC.
- A graphic representation of the charge/discharge curve is shared to illustrate the concept further.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
There is no consensus on whether the capacitor fully charges or discharges at 5RC, as some participants argue it is very close but not complete, while others imply it reaches a practical limit.
Contextual Notes
The discussion includes assumptions about ideal conditions for charging and discharging, and the implications of asymptotic behavior of voltage in relation to time constants are noted but not resolved.
