RC Time Constant Question (Easy)

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an RC circuit with a capacitor and resistor connected to a constant potential difference. The original poster attempts to compute the charge on the capacitor and the charging currents at various time intervals, seeking clarification on discrepancies in their results.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations of charge and current at specific time intervals, questioning the impact of rounding and significant figures on the results. There is an exploration of alternative methods for calculating current.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into potential errors related to rounding and significant figures. There is acknowledgment of close approximations in the calculations, but no explicit consensus on the correctness of the original poster's answers.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of significant figures in calculations and the implications of negative current values, indicating potential errors in the original poster's approach.

beanus
Messages
17
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A 12.8 micro-F capacitor is connected through a 0.890 M-ohm resistor to a constant potential difference of 60.0 v.


Homework Equations



q=CE(1-e^(-t/(RC))
i=(E/R)-(q/(RC))

The Attempt at a Solution



Compute the charge on the capacitor at the following times after the connections are made: 0 s, 5.0 s, 10.0 s, 20.0 s, and 100.0 s.

Solved for q and according to masteringphysics (the homework program we use) I got all the q values correct. Here they are:
0 , 2.7e−4 , 4.5e−4 , 6.4e−4 , 7.7e−4


Second part, and this is the part that I need help on. I think I'm right but the program says I'm incorrect on the fourth term

Compute the charging currents at the same instants. Calculated i:
6.74e-5 , 4.37e-5 , 2.79e-5 , 1.12e-5 , -1.76e-7

It says "Term 4: Very close. Check the rounding and number of significant figures in your final answer."

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Probably too much too much round off.
 
SammyS said:
Probably too much too much round off.

So am I right?
 
beanus said:
So am I right?

Close to right.

A small round off in E/R makes a big difference and/or q/(RC) makes a big % difference in E/R - q/(RC)when E/R and q/(RC) are nearly the same size.

The correct answer for current @ 20.0 s is ≈ 11.65 μA .

Your answer for 100 seconds is nonsense, since it's negative.

BTW:

Another way to calculate the current at time, t, is to use I=(I_0)e^{-t/(RC)}, where I0 = E/R
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K