Engineering Regarding first order circuit basic question

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In a first-order circuit, when the switch is closed at t=0, the inductor is initially in a steady state, behaving like a short circuit with constant current. After the switch closes, the circuit transitions to a new steady state, entering a transient period until t approaches infinity. At t=∞, the inductor current is zero because the switch diverts current away from the inductor and the 20Ω resistor dissipates the stored energy. The current before and after the switch closure is equal at I(0-), I(0+), and I(0), but not equal to I(∞). The discussion clarifies that the inductor current ultimately becomes zero as energy is dissipated through the resistor.
berry1991
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With the statement of:
"The circuit is at steady state before the switch closes"

Does this means when t<0, the inductor is at steady state and it is short circuit. Am I correct?

Then when t>0, the switch is closed and the inductor is also in a steady state?

When t=∞, the inductor is definitely in a steady state. Thus the inductor can be represented with a short-circuit.
 

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berry1991 said:
With the statement of:
"The circuit is at steady state before the switch closes"

Does this means when t<0, the inductor is at steady state and it is short circuit. Am I correct?
The circuit is at steady state, which means that nothing is changing (all currents and potentials are constant). The inductor is behaving as a short circuit and is carrying a constant current.
Then when t>0, the switch is closed and the inductor is also in a steady state?
At the instant the switch closes the circuit is not longer in steady state; it will move towards a NEW steady state from that instant onwards, eventually reaching it after some long time period (t --> ∞). This is called the transient period.
When t=∞, the inductor is definitely in a steady state. Thus the inductor can be represented with a short-circuit.
Yes.
 
gneill said:
At the instant the switch closes the circuit is not longer in steady state; it will move towards a NEW steady state from that instant onwards, eventually reaching it after some long time period (t --> ∞). This is called the transient period.

So the current before and after the switch is closed:

I(0-) = I(0+)=I(0), but not equal to I(∞)

Is this correct?

Another question:

The following attachment is the circuit diagram:

The answer given for the inductor current[I(∞)] = 0A

From what that I understand, as time=∞,the switch will be closed. So all the current will be flowing through the closed-switch and there will not be any current flow into the 20Ω and the short-circuited capacitor. This explain why I(∞) for inductor is 0A.

Am I correct?
 

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Last edited:
berry1991 said:
So the current before and after the switch is closed:

I(0-) = I(0+)=I(0), but not equal to I(∞)

Is this correct?
It is correct assuming that I(t) refers to the inductor current.
Another question:

The following attachment is the circuit diagram:

The answer given for the inductor current[I(∞)] = 0A

From what that I understand, as time=∞,the switch will be closed. So all the current will be flowing through the closed-switch and there will not be any current flow into the 20Ω and the short-circuited capacitor. This explain why I(∞) for inductor is 0A.

Am I correct?

Closing the switch cuts off the inductor and 20Ω resistor from the energy source (the voltage source). The inductor is left in a circuit consisting of itself and the 20Ω resistor.

The 20Ω resistor will dissipate the energy that was stored in the inductor as the current flows through it.
 
gneill said:
Closing the switch cuts off the inductor and 20Ω resistor from the energy source (the voltage source). The inductor is left in a circuit consisting of itself and the 20Ω resistor.

The 20Ω resistor will dissipate the energy that was stored in the inductor as the current flows through it.

So in other words, after an amount of time(that is t=infinite) the current in the inductor will be zero due to the resistor dissipate the energy being stored in the inductor till 0?
 
berry1991 said:
So in other words, after an amount of time(that is t=infinite) the current in the inductor will be zero due to the resistor dissipate the energy being stored in the inductor till 0?

That's it, yes.
 
gneill said:
That's it, yes.

Now everything is clear to me now. thanks for your cooperation.
 

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