Engineering Help with RC circuits SPDT switch

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The discussion centers on analyzing an RC circuit with two capacitors and a switch. After the switch moves up at t=0, both capacitors maintain a voltage of 10V, leading to no potential difference across the 100 kΩ resistor. Consequently, no current flows through the circuit, meaning the charges on the capacitors remain unchanged. The confusion arises around the concept of V(infinity), with participants debating whether it should be 0V after disconnecting the voltage source. Ultimately, the consensus is that since the voltages across the capacitors are equal, the current remains zero, and the system stabilizes with the initial conditions intact.
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Homework Statement


Find v(t) after t=0, when the switch moves up
mj7pqg.png


need to know if i did this right.. V(C1)=V(C2)=10V (this is same for t=0- and 0+)
V(infinity)=0V (no voltage source)

T=RC=100k(ohm)*(4uF)=0.4 sec. (i got the 4uF by putting the 2 caps. in parallel with each other, because they are in series after t=0.)

v(t)=v(infinity)+[v(0)-v(infinity)]*e^(-t/T) <-- general equation
V(t)=10e^(-2.5t)V
where i got -2.5t by dividing -t/0.4

please help!

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution

 
Last edited:
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Rethink your V(infinity). If both VC1(0+) and VC2(0+) are the same (10V at t = 0+), what potential difference exists to drive a current through the 100 kΩ resistor?
 
well there wouldn't be any current would there? and i thought V(infinity) would go to 0V once the voltage source gets disconected. the caps. in dc are replaced by an open circuit so i believe current would also be 0A.
 
asdf12312 said:
well there wouldn't be any current would there? and i thought V(infinity) would go to 0V once the voltage source gets disconected. the caps. in dc are replaced by an open circuit so i believe current would also be 0A.

With no current flow, the charges on the caps cannot change...
 
sorry for the long delay, was waiting for my teacher to post homework answers because i was unsure myself.
20g1sug.png


according to this, i(t) is 0. because i think the 2 capacitors voltage cancel out? 10V-10V=0V.
 
asdf12312 said:
sorry for the long delay, was waiting for my teacher to post homework answers because i was unsure myself.

:
:​

according to this, i(t) is 0. because i think the 2 capacitors voltage cancel out? 10V-10V=0V.
Yup. A more technically satisfying way to put it would be that because the potentials across the two capacitors are identical, the potential difference across the 100kΩ resistor is zero so that no current will flow through it. And since no current flows, the charges (and thus the potentials) on the capacitors will remain constant.
 

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