RLC Circuit Analysis -- Two sources and two switches

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the analysis of an RLC circuit with two sources and two switches, focusing on the behavior of the circuit over time, particularly before and after a switch is activated.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to analyze the circuit by calculating the voltage across the capacitor at different time intervals and applying the concept of time constants. Some participants question the accuracy of the exponent signs in the equations presented.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes positive feedback on the original poster's approach, with some participants noting potential errors in the mathematical expressions. There is an acknowledgment of the reasoning applied, and the conversation appears to be constructive, with participants engaging in clarifying details.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working without an answer key provided by the professor, which may influence their confidence in the correctness of their approaches and results.

wcjy
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Homework Statement
Given the following circuit with the source voltages V1=9(V) and V2=5(V). Switch 1 has been connected to A and switch 2 has been closed for a long time. At t=0, switch 1 is connected to B, and switch 2 is open. Find the constants α, β, and γ in the expression of the voltage v(t) through the capacitor

V(t) = α + βe^(γt) V
Relevant Equations
$$V(t) = V( ∞) + [V(0) - V( ∞)] e ^ {\frac{t}{T}}$$
Hello, this is my working. My professor did not give any answer key, and thus can I check if I approach the question correctly, and also check if my answer is correct at the same time.

When t < 0, capacitor acts as open circuit,
$$V(0-) = V(0+) = 9V$$

When t = infinity,
$$V( ∞) = 5V$$ (because switch is now connected to B, and capacitor acts as open circuit when t = ∞)

Time Constant, $$T = RC = 2 * 100 * 10^{-3} = 0.2 s$$

When t > 0,
$$V(t) = V( ∞) + [V(0) - V( ∞)] e ^ {\frac{t}{T}}$$
$$V(t) = 5 + [9 - 5] e^{\frac{-t}{0.2}}$$
$$ V(t) = 5 + 4e^{-5t}$$

Therefore,
α = 5,
β = 4
γ = -5
 

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Your approach and results look good.
 
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Looks good. You have a sign error in some of your exponents.
Your reasoning is great; the simple approach. There are much harder ways to solve this that you successfully avoided. Of course it does rely on you already knowing the solution to the series RC differential equation (i.e. time constant and exponentials), but that seems reasonable since they gave you the form of the answer.
 
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Thank You Very Much!
 
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