RC & RL Circuits: Capacitor Current Source & Inductor Voltage Source?

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SUMMARY

The discussion confirms that a capacitor does not act as a current source and an inductor does not function as a voltage source in RC and RL circuits. A fully charged capacitor discharges nonlinearly into a resistive load, while a fully energized inductor releases energy nonlinearly when the current is interrupted. Both components absorb energy rather than supplying it in a constant manner, which is a defining characteristic of ideal current and voltage sources.

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Does the capacitor acts as a current source and the inductor acts as the voltage source in the RC and RL circuits respectively? If so why does the capacitor not act as a voltage source and inductor not act as a current source?

Thankyou
 
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No. Both the capacitor and inductor actually absorb energy. A fully charged capacitor (energized) will discharge nonlinearly into a resistive load. A current source in theory should supply constant current into any load.

A fully energized inductor (where current is flowing through it) will not supply a constant voltage into a load, as required by a voltage source. When the current through the coil is cut off, the magnetic field will collapse and release energy, thus inducing a voltage nonlinearly.
 

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