Potential difference in circuit with battery, resistors, switch, capacitor

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on analyzing a circuit with a battery, resistors, a switch, and a capacitor. Immediately after the switch is closed, the uncharged capacitor acts like a short circuit, resulting in a higher current through the battery compared to the long-term state. Over time, as the capacitor charges, it will eventually stop current flow, making the circuit behave as if the capacitor is absent. The voltage across the capacitor will stabilize at a level determined by the circuit's resistors. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for solving the circuit's current behavior at different time intervals.
awertag
Messages
63
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Consider the circuit shown in the Figure, where R1 = 29 and R2 = 4.8 .

http://www.webassign.net/walker/21-44alt.gif

(a) Is the current flowing through the battery immediately after the switch is closed greater than, less than, or the same as the current flowing through the battery long after the switch is closed?
Explain.

(b) Find the current flowing through the battery immediately after the switch is closed.

(c) Find the current in the battery long after the switch is closed.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I am completely lost on this. I'm sorry, but I don't even know how to begin. I hope you'll consider helping me anyway. :(
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Immediately after the switch is closed (at time 0+) the capacitor is still uncharged, and "looks like" a short circuit for all intents and purposes. You must have discussed this in class.

Similarly, after a long time, the capacitor will have charged up to whatever maximum amount is dictated by the surrounding circuit elements; no more current will flow into (or out of) the capacitor. The circuit will behave as though the capacitor is not there. What's the voltage across where it's connected?
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Determining Current Direction in a Charging RC Circuit
Replies
1
Views
2K
Why do the headlights on the car become dim when the car is starting?
Replies
4
Views
2K
How is the slider connected to the switch?
Replies
6
Views
773
Circuit with potential difference across battery being zero?
Replies
3
Views
1K
Calculating the voltage across capacitors and resistors with switches
Replies
2
Views
730
Why Do Capacitors Behave Differently in Series and Parallel Configurations?
Replies
20
Views
2K
Circuit with resistor, switch and capacitor
2
Replies
62
Views
5K
Is Bulb A Brighter in a Parallel Circuit Due to Potential Difference?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Why the need to be careful opening a switch on this RL circuit?
Replies
6
Views
919
Two battery circuit charging one capacitor
Replies
1
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top