Charging Time for RC Circuit with Capacitor and Resistor

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the charging time of an RC circuit consisting of a 1234 pF capacitor and a 5.6 × 106 ohm resistor connected to a 78-volt EMF source. The relevant equation used is Vf = Vo(1 - e-t/RC), where Vf is the voltage across the capacitor and Vo is the supply voltage. Participants clarified the correct interpretation of Vo and discussed the significance of time constants in RC circuits, emphasizing the importance of unit conversions, particularly between microfarads and millifarads.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of RC circuit theory
  • Familiarity with the charging equation Vf = Vo(1 - e-t/RC)
  • Knowledge of unit conversions for capacitance (microfarads to farads)
  • Basic algebra for manipulating exponential equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and applications of the RC charging equation
  • Learn about the time constant (τ = RC) in RC circuits
  • Explore practical applications of RC circuits in signal processing
  • Investigate common mistakes in unit conversions for electrical components
USEFUL FOR

Students in electrical engineering, hobbyists working with RC circuits, and educators teaching circuit analysis will benefit from this discussion.

RougeSun
Messages
8
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A 1234. pF capacitor and a 5.6 × 106 ohm resistor are connected in series to 78. volts EMF. Approximately how long does it take the capacitor to become almost fully charged?


Homework Equations


Vf=Vo(1-e^(-t/RC))


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not sure if the equation I'm using is correct. I know there is one that has Q in it but couldn't find it. If there is Q in it how do I link it to volts? Through C=Q/Z?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You can use the equation you have. Just think, what will the voltage across the capacitor be when it is fully charged?
 
kuruman said:
You can use the equation you have. Just think, what will the voltage across the capacitor be when it is fully charged?

Ahh..okay. But wouldn't Vo be 0?
 
Look at your expression. If V0 were zero, then the voltage would be zero at all times and the capacitor would never charge. Here, V0 does not represent the "voltage at time t = 0". It represents the constant emf provided by the battery. What happens to your expression if you let time t go to infinity?
 
RougeSun said:

Homework Statement


A 1234. pF capacitor and a 5.6 × 106 ohm resistor are connected in series to 78. volts EMF. Approximately how long does it take the capacitor to become almost fully charged?


Homework Equations


Vf=Vo(1-e^(-t/RC))


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not sure if the equation I'm using is correct. I know there is one that has Q in it but couldn't find it. If there is Q in it how do I link it to volts? Through C=Q/Z?

The equation that I have is Vc(t)=Vs(1-e^-t/RC)

Where Vc is the voltage across the capacitor
Vs is the voltae of the supply

Hope this helps.
 
Now I have a question:

Im working with a signal generator RC circuit. And I am trying to work out t=RC to workout the voltage waveform across the capacitor with the above mentioned formula.

This is a very basic formula, but following a few of them in a textbook has thrown me.

eg.
100 k Ohm
0.001 mirco F
This is what is in the textbook
t=RC=(100k)(0.001mF)=100millisecond
Now to me this is should be
t=RC=(100000 Ohm)(0.000000001 F)=0.0001 sec

I seem to be missing a decimal place each time. Can someone help please?
 
lee.perrin@gm said:
This is what is in the textbook
t=RC=(100k)(0.001mF)=100millisecond
This is correct as it stands.

1 mF (one millifarad) = 10-3F

1 μF (one microfarad) = 10-6F

Are you perhaps confusing the two?
 
The mF that I have in there is microfarad. I did not have the mu sign.

And as it is I don't get that value on the calculator.

I get 0.0001sec
 
lee.perrin@gm said:
The mF that I have in there is microfarad. I did not have the mu sign.

And as it is I don't get that value on the calculator.

I get 0.0001sec

Then you are correct and

RC=(100k)(0.001mF)=100millisecond

is also correct. In your case the capacitance is in microfarads and in the other case the capacitance is in millifarads.
 
  • #10
Thank you for your help.

What I have done was made a mistake where it should be mircosecond not millisecond.
 

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K