Second order circuit with 2 capacitors to differential equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving the differential equation for the voltage v2(t) in a circuit containing two capacitors. Participants explore the application of Kirchhoff's laws and mesh analysis in the context of this second-order circuit problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance in formulating the differential equation for v2(t) using Kirchhoff's voltage law.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to show previous attempts to better guide the help provided.
  • A participant expresses familiarity with using Kirchhoff's current law for inductors but finds the application to capacitors challenging.
  • One participant mentions having two mesh equations and attempts to express currents in terms of voltage derivatives but struggles with eliminating variables.
  • Another participant suggests setting up two first-order differential equations for the different currents in the circuit, with the possibility of combining them into a second-order equation.
  • A later reply indicates that combining the equations may not be feasible due to the presence of multiple functions in the differential equations.
  • One participant shares their progress in deriving equations and substituting variables, ultimately leading to a solvable form, while offering to assist further.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and approaches to the problem, with no consensus on the best method to derive the differential equation. Some participants agree on the need for multiple equations, while others question the feasibility of combining them.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the complexity of the circuit due to the presence of two capacitors and the challenges in deriving a single equation from multiple variables. There are unresolved steps in the mathematical reasoning and dependencies on the specific circuit configuration.

nicksname
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hello i need help with this,

what is the differential equation for the voltage v2 (t).


http://www.imageurlhost.com/images/mc2qqp4kax37kvm51h1h_circuit.jpg


sorry for my english
 
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welcome to pf!

hello nicksname! welcome to pf! :wink:

show us what you've tried, and where you're stuck, and then we'll know how to help! :smile:
 
i know how it works with inductors. to find differential equation v with KVL (Kirchhoff's current law). but I've never done it before for the capacitor to v2(t). writing. i know I need to use Kirchhoff's voltage law. but that it is.
 
Gah I need help with a similar problem and it's frustrating that it's not solved yet. I know how to substitute when there's an inductor and a capacitor, but it beats me how to do it when the energy savers are both the same circuit element.

So far I've got 2 helpful mesh equations (my problem has 3, but i used the last one to define the currents in terms of voltage derivatives) and I've replaced all the currents by Cdu/dt, but I don't know what to do next to get rid of the du/dt for the first capacitor. It looks like I could cancel out the Uc1s by substituting the equations into each other, but I need some other equation that I can't think of yet for the first du/dt I mentioned.
 
You may have two different currents in the two lower wires so you should set up two first order differential equations describing those. If you are required to have a single equation, you can combine those into a single second order equation for for either one of the currents.
 
HallsofIvy said:
You may have two different currents in the two lower wires so you should set up two first order differential equations describing those. If you are required to have a single equation, you can combine those into a single second order equation for for either one of the currents.

I don't think that can be done because there will be two functions in each of the differential equations.
 
I think I figured it out. When I did it (my problem has an extra loop, so you might have to do something slightly different), after I substituted everything I could I ended up with two mesh equations both in terms of V1, V2, dV2/dt, and one had dV1/dt, and then got stuck for a while. But then I figured out that you could solve the equation that did not have dV1/dt in it for V1, then I derived it to get another equation which put dV1/dt in terms of only V2 and dV2/dt. That gave me enough equations to solve the rest of the problem using only algebra.

Was this helpful? I can try solving the entire problem for you if you want.
 

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