How is integration order determined for the I-V relation of capacitors?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the determination of integration order in deriving the current-voltage (I-V) relationship for capacitors. Participants explore the mathematical relationships involving capacitance, charge, and current, focusing on the implications of differentiating and integrating these quantities.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the validity of integrating the expression $$\frac{dC}{dt}$$, suggesting that it may be zero and thus invalidates the integration process.
  • Another participant corrects the initial equation, asserting that capacitance (C) is defined as charge (q) divided by voltage (V), emphasizing the importance of understanding current as charge per unit time.
  • A participant argues that reducing quantities to their fundamental units should not invalidate the approach, suggesting that densities can be expressed in terms of differentials.
  • One participant clarifies that the equation $$C = \frac{dq}{dV}$$ holds if C is constant, and discusses the implications of differentiating with respect to time, noting a mistake in the application of the chain rule.
  • Another participant presents two scenarios regarding the second derivative of charge, leading to different conclusions about the behavior of the quantities involved, highlighting the complexity of the relationships.
  • A later reply indicates a realization about the order of integration, affirming that integrating $$C$$ with respect to $$dV$$ is valid and leads to the correct relationship with $$dq$$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of certain mathematical steps and the interpretation of capacitance. There is no consensus on the correct approach to the integration order or the implications of the derivatives involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their understanding of the relationships between charge, voltage, and current, particularly regarding the assumptions about the constancy of capacitance and the application of differentiation and integration in this context.

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I'm having a brain fart so this is just another silly question but...

when deriving the I-V relation for the capacitor:

$$C=\frac{dq}{dV}$$

$$\frac{d}{dt}C=\frac{d}{dt} (\frac{dq}{dV})=\frac{d}{dt}C=\frac{di}{dV}$$

from here, normally we're supposed to do the following

$$\int\frac{dC}{dt}dV=i$$

$$C\frac{d}{dt}V=i$$

$$C\frac{dV}{dt}=i$$

but even before integrating, where i have quantity: $$\frac{dC}{dt}$$ isn't this just zero?
in which case, if we integrate both sides with V i just get 0 on the LHS so i know it's not valid..
but why is it not valid?
 
Last edited:
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Your initial equation is wrong. C isn't the derivative of charge with respect to voltage. C is the charge divided by voltage (Q = CV). Big difference.

Remember that current is defined as charge per unit time and you'll get it right.
 
]C isn't the derivative of charge with respect to voltage. C is the charge divided by voltage (Q = CV). Big difference.

the quantity:

$$\frac{q}{V}$$

is a density. but all densities can be expressed in terms of differentials no?

qualitatively, all i have done was reduce "the total amount of charge per the given amount of voltage"
to..
"the unit charge per unit voltage"

why is doing this invalid? we do this in physics all the time! we take bulk quantities and reduce them down to their "fundamental" unts. and because capacitance is a density (a ratio), the value should be the same, why shouldn't it be?
 
C=dq/dV holds if C is constant. Because q(t)=CV(t) hence differentiating wrt time and because C is constant in time we get dq/dt=CdV/dt or dq=CdV. However the mistake is in the 2nd line because using the chain rule of differentiation we get
[tex]\frac{d}{dt}(\frac{dq}{dV})=\frac{d^2q}{dV^2}\frac{dV}{dt}=\frac{d^2q}{dV}\frac{1}{dt}[/tex]

...Well i have to say you ve blocked my mind as well. But somewhere along the 2nd line is the mistake cause we know dC/dt=0 while dI/dV isn't zero

Update:

Well something very strange , if we take the definition of [tex]d^2q[/tex] as second order differential we get two different things:

1) if we consider [tex]q(V)=CV[/tex] then [tex]d^2q=q''(V)dV^2=0[/tex] since C is constant
2) if we consider [tex]I(t)=\frac{dq}{dt}[/tex] then [tex]\frac{dI}{dt}=\frac{d^2q}{dt^2}, d^2q=I'(t)dt^2[/tex] which obviously isn't identical zero...
 
Last edited:
aha! got it

indeed it was silly..

order of integration:

$$C=\frac{dq}{dV}$$

$$\int CdV=\int dq$$

$$\frac{d}{dt}CV=\frac{dq}{dt}$$
 

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