Series LC Circuit: Charging Capacitor & Current Flow w/ 0V Inductor

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of a series LC circuit, specifically focusing on the charging of a capacitor and the role of the inductor when the applied voltage is removed. Participants explore the conditions under which the capacitor reaches a voltage of 2V and the implications of energy conservation in the circuit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that in a series LC circuit, the capacitor charges to the applied voltage V after some time, but questions how the inductor can supply current when its voltage is zero.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the reference to "2V" and asks whether there is a power source in the circuit or if the capacitor is charged before being connected.
  • A participant describes two scenarios:
    • In the first case, after charging the capacitor to voltage V and then disconnecting the battery, the inductor develops an emf that continues to charge the capacitor negatively, questioning why the capacitor reaches 2V.
    • In the second case, with the capacitor initially charged to V and then discharging through the inductor, they note that the inductor charges the capacitor back up, again questioning why it reaches 2V and referencing conservation of energy.
  • Another participant clarifies that in the first case, the capacitor oscillates between +V and -V, and that it is incorrect to say the capacitor charges to 2V, emphasizing that the energy in the LC circuit remains constant and providing equations to support their explanation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the capacitor can charge to 2V and the conditions under which this occurs. There is no consensus on the interpretation of the circuit behavior or the implications of energy conservation.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific conditions and assumptions regarding the circuit configuration, such as the presence or absence of a power source and the initial charge of the capacitor. The discussion highlights the complexity of energy transfer in LC circuits without resolving the mathematical details or assumptions involved.

likephysics
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In a series LC ckt, the capacitor charges to the applied voltage V after some time t1secs. Now there is no voltage across the inductor.
How can the inductor keep supplying current to the capacitor, when the potential difference across it is zero.
The capacitor is charged up to 2V. Why just 2V?
 
Last edited:
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I feel like I'm missing information. What's "2V" referring to? Is there a power source in this circuit? Do we charge the capacitor, then add it to the circuit after it's charged?
 
Well I have 2 cases:
1.
Just an LC circuit connected to a voltage source thru a switch.
switch is closed and capacitor is charged to supply voltage V.
Now the switch is opened, the inductor opposes this change and an emf is developed across it
which is equal to - L. di/dt
This will continue charging the capacitor in the -ve direction. Why does the capacitor get charged to 2 times V.

2. Just an LC ckt with a switch (no voltage source) with the capacitor charged to V volts. When the switch is closed, the capacitor starts discharging thru the inductor. When the cap current reaches zero, the inductor begins charging the cap. The capacitor is charged up to 2V.
why 2V. why not more. conservation of energy?

Link: http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph11e/osccirc.htm
 
Last edited by a moderator:
In the first case, the capacitor is charged to the battery voltage V, and then the battery is disconnected. The inductor current and inductor voltage is initially zero. The capacitor is switched to the inductor. The capacitor discharges through the inductor, and when the capacitor voltage is zero, the inductor current is maximum (down direction). The inductor then begins discharging its stored energy into the capacitor. Eventually, half a cycle later, the capacitor is fully charged to -V (note sign), and the inductor current is again zero (no stored energy). The capacitor is never charged to 2 times V. It oscillates between +V and -V. Because there is no resistor in the LC circuit, the stored energy is constant.
E = (1/2)C V2 + (1/2)L I2 = constant.
The equation for the inductor is
Vcapacitor = L dI/dt. (positive current flows down through inductor)
Whenever the capacitor has a positive voltage, the current through the inductor is increasing (dI/dt>0), and whenever the voltage across the capacitor is negative, the current through the inductor is decreasing (dI/dt<0).
 

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