Charge on capacitor (RC circuit)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around analyzing an RC circuit involving a capacitor and resistors. Participants are tasked with determining the current through each resistor and the charge on the capacitor at various stages: immediately after the switch is closed, after a long time, and immediately after the switch is reopened.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the voltage across the capacitor and its implications for current through the resistors. There is uncertainty about the voltage drop across the resistors and how it affects the capacitor's charge. Questions arise regarding the relevance of specific resistors in different scenarios.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made attempts to calculate currents and charge, while others are questioning their assumptions about voltage and the role of resistors in the circuit. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach, but various interpretations and calculations are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of circuit analysis without complete information on the circuit configuration or the initial conditions. The discussion is framed within the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the depth of exploration.

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Homework Statement


1) Determine the current in each resistor and charge on the capacitor after a long time immediately after the switch is closed
2) Determine the current in each resistor and charge on the capacitor after a long time

After the switch has been closed for a long time it is re-opened.

3) Determine the current in each resistor and the charge on the capacitor immediately after the switch has been re-opened.
4) Determine the time constant of the capacitor discharge.

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Homework Equations


V = I Req
Q = CV

The Attempt at a Solution


I got #1 and got I6 = 1A, I8 = 1.5A, and I12 = .5A
I'm not sure what to do about #2 though. What is the voltage across the capacitor? I thought it would be 6V, because that is the voltage across the parallel series. However, there is a voltage drop after the 1A current runs across the 6ohm resistor so the V across the capacitor is 0.

For #3 and 4, does the 8ohm resistor come into play or no?
Thanks for the help guys.
 
Last edited:
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Is the V across the capacitor just 6V? If so I think I'm good. #2 I through the 6ohm resistor is 0, then I through the other two resistors is 18V/20ohms right?
#3 I = 6V/18ohms Q= 28 E-6 * 6
#4 (18 * 28E-6) = RC
 
Voltage which charges the capacitor is the voltage across 12 ohm resistance. Calculate that voltage.
When the capacitor is completely charged, the same voltage will be the voltage across it.
 
oh is this Kirchoff's rule?
 
No. There is no need to apply Kirchhoff rule.
 

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