RC Circuits: Voltage as a function of time

AI Thread Summary
In the RC circuit discussion, participants analyze the relationship between current, voltage, and charge in a circuit with a 6 V battery, a 100 Ohm resistor, and a 2.0 microFarad capacitor. At t = 0.000139 s, the current measured is 0.030 A, prompting questions about the relevance of this measurement to calculating the charge on the capacitor. Confusion arises as users attempt to apply both the voltage and charge formulas, leading to different results. It is emphasized that the voltage across the capacitor must be determined separately from the current through the resistor. The discussion highlights the importance of using the correct formulas for voltage and charge in RC circuits.
SolfegeDuck
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

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!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 
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...
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...

Similar threads

Back
Top