RC Circuits: Voltage as a function of time

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around an RC circuit involving a 6 V battery, a 100 Ohm resistor, and a 2.0 microFarad capacitor. The original poster is trying to determine the charge on the capacitor at a specific time after the circuit is closed, while also considering the current measured through the resistor.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the charge formula and questions the relevance of the current measurement. Some participants suggest focusing on the voltage across the capacitor and using it to find the charge, while others express confusion over differing results from various approaches.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. There is no explicit consensus on the importance of the current measurement or the methods to calculate the charge, indicating a productive exchange of ideas.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating potential discrepancies between the charge calculated using different formulas and the implications of the current measurement on their calculations.

SolfegeDuck
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Homework Statement



There is an RC circuit with a 6 V battery, a 100 Ohm resistor, and 2.0 microFarad capacitor. At time t = 0, the switch is closed. While this happens, an ammeter measures the current through the resistor. At t = 0.000139 s the ammeter finds that 0.030 A is flowing through the resistor.

a) At this instant in time (t = 0.139 milliseconds) what is the charge on the capacitor?



Homework Equations



V(T) = E (1-e^(-t/RC))
Q(t) = CE(1-e^-t/RC)

The Attempt at a Solution



I solved the equation for t = 0.139, but I was wondering whether or not the stuff about the ammeter measuring the current matters? I mean, if so, then I = 0.030 A and I = R/V and Q = CV, so I could also find the charge that way, but when I do that, I get two different answers. What do you suggest? Thanks in advance!
 
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I don't think the part about the current through the resistor is important - it's different from the current and charge on the capacitor. I think. :)
 
u find the voltage across the resistor
then u subtract it from the emf of the battery to find the voltage across the capacitor
then u multiply that voltage with the capacitance to get charge
 
But the formula is for V_C, the voltage across the capacitor.

And there is a separate formula for charge - the Q(t) one. I tried solving both and got completely different answers (as in I solved the voltage one then did Q = CV).

I don't think that works, esalihm.
 

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