Charge on Capacitor After 4.00ms: Solving the Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a capacitor charged to 1 coulomb with a capacitance of 9.00×10-5 farads, placed in a circuit with a resistor of 9.00 ohms. The objective is to determine the charge on the capacitor after 4.00 milliseconds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the RC time constant and its relevance to the problem, with some expressing confusion about how to apply the time constant in the context of capacitor discharge. Questions arise regarding the initial charge and voltage needed for calculations.

Discussion Status

Some guidance has been provided regarding the time constant and the equation for capacitor discharge, but there remains uncertainty about the initial conditions and how to proceed with the calculations. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of clarity regarding the initial charge (Q0) and voltage (V), which are essential for solving the problem. There is also mention of the need to reference a textbook for further understanding.

Ryo124
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A capacitor is charged to 1 coulomb; the capacitance is 9.00×10-5 farads.
Then a switch is closed which puts the capacitor in a closed circuit with a resistor; the resistance is 9.00 ohms.

Calculate the charge on the capacitor after 4.00 milliseconds. (1 ms = 0.001 s).

I know some equations relating capacitance, charge, and voltage, but I don't understand how to approach this problem.
 
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Look up "RC time constant" and the associated equation for a discharging capacitor.
 
Time Constant is T=RC;

but I don't know how to use this equation to solve my problem.
 
That's just the definition of the time constant, not the capacitor discharge equation that uses it. Read this: Charging a Capacitor (Charging and discharging are inverse operations.)
 
Still not making sense. I don't know the value of Q0 or V. Someone please help.
 
Q0 is given in your first post; you don't need V. Don't you have a textbook?

[tex]Q = Q_0 e^{{-t}/{RC}}[/tex]
 

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