Engineering RC circuit differential equations

[evol_w10lv]

Homework Statement

Task is to write differential equation for this circuit.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I'll try to solve the task, but now I want to know, is it possible to use voltage source instead of current source. For example, I can calculate ekvivalent resistance R_1, R_2 an R_3 parallel. Then current source * ekvivalent (total) resistance = voltage source?
Like this:

Don't look at numbers, they are random.. I just want to know about idea.
If it's possible, then I can use V(Thevenin) and R(Thevenin).

OR:
I can calculate R(Thevenin) = (R2*R3)/(R2+R3), I guess.
But I don't know, how to calculate I(Thevenin). Or I have to use Northon method, when we've got capacitor?

Can you suggest something?

 

[gneill]

In your original circuit the current source and first resistor form a Norton equivalent when the switch is closed. No reason why you couldn't turn that into a Thevenin equivalent.

Be sure to take into account the circuit properties affected by the switch if you need to determine the circuit operation if the switch is re-opened at some future time.

 

[evol_w10lv]

Do you mean like this:

?

And then again I need to change circuit to Thevenin equivalent as I did before with RL circuits?

 

[gneill]

Yes and yes, in your figure you can absorb R2 and R3 into the Thevenin model.

 

[evol_w10lv]

Then:
R(Thevenin) = ((R2*R3)/(R2+R3)) + R1
E(Thevenin) = E = I*R1

(((R2*R3)/(R2+R3)) + R1)*C*dUc/dt + Uc = E

Is it correct?

 

[gneill]

Yup. Looks good.

 

[evol_w10lv]

Easier than I thought. But which initial condition I have to use? From picture in my first post?
But there is Ic(0), but here I need Uc(0). Seems to me, that I don't understand, how to find intial condition.

 

[gneill]

You can use the initial conditions for your "new" circuit. If the capacitor begins with no charge then its initial potential is zero. It will "look like" a short at time t = 0, so you can find the initial current, too.

 

[evol_w10lv]

Ic(0) = 0 and Uc(0)= E ?
Anyway, I'll try to finish all calculations tomorrow. It's to late today in my country.

 

[gneill]

Ic(0) = 0 and Uc(0)= E ?
Anyway, I'll try to finish all calculations tomorrow. It's to late today in my country.

With the Thevenin circuit, when the switch closes there will be a closed loop. The capacitor will look like a short, so just the Thevenin resistance is seen as the load at time t = 0.

 

[evol_w10lv]

It means that there is no voltage through the capacitor, so Uc(0)=0.

 

[gneill]

It means that there is no voltage through the capacitor, so Uc(0)=0.

"Across". Voltage is "across" a component, current goes "through". But yes, that's the right idea.

 

[evol_w10lv]

And it is same as solution for this:

 

[gneill]

One difference between the two is that the current will be flowing in opposite directions and the potential across the capacitor will have the opposite polarity. To make them identical, change the polarity of either the current or voltage source.

 

[evol_w10lv]

How to redraw circuit here, when current source and resistor are in series? I guess, here we can't use Norton because resistor and current source not parallel.

 

[gneill]

How to redraw circuit here, when current source and resistor are in series? I guess, here we can't use Norton because resistor and current source not parallel.

Big tip: A resistor in series with an ideal current source has no effect on the circuit! The current source will produce its specified current no matter what is in its path. It won't even contribute to Norton/Thevenin resistances for the circuit.

 

[evol_w10lv]

Tried to solve second one (from post #15) with two methods:

And method 2:

Then like before I used Norton/Thevenin equivalent:

E = R3 * J

E(Thevenin) = E = R3*J
R(Thevenin) = R2 + R3

E = L*dIL + (R2+R3)*IL

Actually the first circuit (from post #15) is simular, but why there are switch without anything? Is there something tricky in the solution?

 

[gneill]

Actually the first circuit (from post #15) is simular, but why there are switch without anything? Is there something tricky in the solution?

The switch changes the circuit by eliminating R3 when it closes (it shorts it out). So there will be a different steady-state situation for each position of the switch.