Cascading RC circuit w/ DC voltage. How will capacitors charging time vary?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a cascading RC circuit with DC voltage, focusing on the charging time of capacitors and the implications of the RC time constant in relation to multiple capacitors connected in series. Participants explore the behavior of voltage across capacitors at different stages and the mathematical modeling of the circuit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question whether the RC time constant is uniform across all capacitors when using equivalent resistance. There is discussion about the relationship between the voltage of the first capacitor and that of the tenth capacitor over time. Some participants express confusion regarding their theoretical versus experimental results.

Discussion Status

Some participants have proposed that the problem may involve a set of coupled differential equations, suggesting that the charge rate of each capacitor is influenced by its own charge and the charges on adjacent capacitors. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity of the problem, with some participants indicating they are working through the mathematical aspects.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the implications of a spark gap in the circuit and are considering the potential for infinite stages in the capacitor arrangement. There is a noted uncertainty regarding the assumptions made in their calculations and the behavior of the circuit components.

Agnostic
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In the following schematic, will the RC time constant be the same for all capacitors using the equivalent resistance of all the resistors?

When I plug it into pspice or electronics work bench, it has that the First capacitors voltage as a function of time will always be twice as much as the 10th capacitor stage as a function of time.

I just don't know...

Either way, I am only off by 5% in my theorietical and experimental calculations...just confused...
 

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Agnostic said:
In the following schematic, will the RC time constant be the same for all capacitors using the equivalent resistance of all the resistors?

When I plug it into pspice or electronics work bench, it has that the First capacitors voltage as a function of time will always be twice as much as the 10th capacitor stage as a function of time.

I just don't know...

Either way, I am only off by 5% in my theorietical and experimental calculations...just confused...
Does that symbol to the right mean the stages go on forever?
 
No, its a spark gap.

I figured it out though. A huge linear non homongenous first order differential equation should take care of it.
 
Agnostic said:
No, its a spark gap.

I figured it out though. A huge linear non homongenous first order differential equation should take care of it.

The "10" made me wonder. I think you are right about the DE. I started doing it just for 2 capacitors. Have fun :smile:
 
This is going to be a set of coupled differential equations isn't it?
 
Agnostic said:
This is going to be a set of coupled differential equations isn't it?

I should think so. The charge rate of each capacitor depends on its own charge and the charges on the adjacent capcitors. One would think the capacitor closest to the source of emf will charge faster than the next one, etc.
 

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