Engineering First order circuits. Solving for v(t)

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on solving for v(t) in first order circuits, specifically using the equation i(t) = C dv(t)/dt. The main challenge presented is transforming the equation into a suitable form for solving v(t), which involves understanding the impact of constants on derivatives. Participants clarify that in DC steady state, capacitors act as open circuits and inductors as short circuits, but emphasize that this does not negate the need for the original equation when E is constant. The conclusion is that while capacitors can be replaced with open circuits in steady state, the original formulation remains essential for understanding transient behavior.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of first order circuits
  • Familiarity with differential equations
  • Knowledge of capacitor and inductor behavior in DC steady state
  • Basic principles of calculus, specifically derivatives
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of v(t) in first order circuits
  • Learn about the behavior of capacitors and inductors in transient analysis
  • Explore the implications of constants in differential equations
  • Investigate the application of Laplace transforms in circuit analysis
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineering students, circuit designers, and anyone studying dynamic circuits and their transient responses.

CoolDude420
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Homework Statement


So our lecture introduced first order circuits to us.
We are trying to solve for v(t) in the following circuit. However in the notes he gets it into a form in which we can solve for v(t). However I can't seem to get it into the same form he has. This is more of a maths question rather than a circuits question.

The purpose of writing it in the form that he has is to solve for v(t). Any ideas how I can get it into that form?

054f0907b2.jpg

Homework Equations


[/B]
i(t) = C dv(t)/dt

The Attempt at a Solution


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In Pic above
 
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Presumably E is a constant here?

The derivative of a function is unaffected if you first add (or subtract) a constant value[/size] to the function,
so it follows that d(v(t))/dt is identical to d(v(t)–E)/dt

It looks like your lecturer might be finding it convenient to use this fact in his derivation of v(t)?

the derivative of a sum is equal to the sum of the individual derivatives
 
NascentOxygen said:
Presumably E is a constant here?

The derivative of a function is unaffected if you first add (or subtract) a constant value to the function,
so it follows that d(v(t))/dt is identical to d(v(t)–E)/dt

It looks like your lecturer might be finding it convenient to use this fact in his derivation of v(t)?

the derivative of a sum is equal to the sum of the individual derivatives

Ah. That makes much more sense. I've been trying to figure this out for a while now. Thank you very much,
 
Hi,

I've just come back to revise this after properly I think understanding dynamic circuits. I am told that in the DC steady state(i.e when the source is providing a steady voltage), capacitors behave as open circuits and inductors behave as short circuits. So why doesn't that happen in this case(where E is constant).? I mean the circuit is providing a constant V and so the time derivative in i = C dv/dt should evaluate to 0 thus giving us i=0 which is an open circuit. Why don't we just replace the capacitor with a open circuit here?
 
CoolDude420 said:
Why don't we just replace the capacitor with a open circuit here?
You can. If you do that it will tell you that the steady-state current is zero, which is true.
 

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