Find the Maximum Charge of a Capacitor

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the maximum charge of a capacitor in a circuit involving a resistor and a given voltage. The original poster presents specific values for resistance, capacitance, and voltage, along with a time parameter related to charging.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between voltage and charge on a capacitor, questioning how measurements were taken and the implications of the given data. There is an attempt to clarify the formula for calculating charge and its dependence on voltage and capacitance.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, raising questions about measurement methods and the relationship between charge and voltage. Some guidance has been offered regarding the formula to use for calculating maximum charge, but no consensus has been reached on the original poster's approach.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a voltage vs time graph and the need to calculate maximum charge based on provided circuit parameters. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their understanding of the concepts involved.

jvdamdshdt
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Homework Statement


Hey guys, I am having problems with finding the maximum charge of a capacitor.
From the experiment we are given R=100 Ohms, and Capacitance = 330 uF
We are asked to find the maximum charge the capacitor has.
Time to half charge was 0.0235 sec.

Voltage is 4V

Homework Equations


Q=Qmax[1−e(−t/RC)]

The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried setting Qmax to one and Q to zero to represent a 100 percent but I can't get an answer. I am thinking you can never meet an actual max of a capacitor but I may be wrong.
 
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It's likely you weren't measuring the charge (Coulombs) directly. What instrument were you taking measurements with?
 
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gneill said:
It's likely you weren't measuring the charge (Coulombs) directly. What instrument were you taking measurements with?

We were given a circuit with a resistor and capacitor. The circuit was then connected to an a ground on one side and a output voltage of 4V. We are asked to find the maximum charge of the experiment. I am thinking I am supposed to calculate the maximum charge using what is given.
 
jvdamdshdt said:
We were given a circuit with a resistor and capacitor. The circuit was then connected to an a ground on one side and a output voltage of 4V. We are asked to find the maximum charge of the experiment. I am thinking I am supposed to calculate the maximum charge using what is given.

So you were taking voltage measurements? How is charge related to voltage on a capacitor?
 
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gneill said:
So you were taking voltage measurements? How is charge related to voltage on a capacitor?

We had a voltage vs time graph at the end.
I am thinking this is the formula to find the charge? Q=CV
 
jvdamdshdt said:
We had a voltage vs time graph at the end.
I am thinking this is the formula to find the charge? Q=CV

That would be the one! You should be able to find your max Q from your max V since C is a constant.
 
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gneill said:
That would be the one! You should be able to find your max Q from your max V since C is a constant.

Thanks a lot. Sometimes I don't think.
 

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