Solving Discharging Capacitor: Why εC in Denom.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the mathematical derivation of the discharging capacitor equation, specifically addressing the presence of εC in the denominator of the integral. The equations presented include ε = IR + V_C and the differential equation dQ/dt = (ε - Q/C)/R. The confusion arises from the integration process, where the author suggests that the use of definite integrals may explain the appearance of εC in the denominator, contrasting it with the simpler indefinite integral example provided. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of understanding the integration limits and constants of integration in such derivations.

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iScience
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$$\epsilon=IR+V_C$$

$$\epsilon=IR+\frac{Q}{C}$$

$$\frac{dQ}{dt}=\frac{\epsilon-Q/C}{R}$$

$$\int\frac{dQ}{C\epsilon-Q}=\int\frac{dt}{RC}$$

$$-ln(\frac{\epsilon C-Q}{\epsilon C})=\frac{t}{RC}$$

in previous step I am confused as to why the εC is in the denominator.

if we have $$\int\frac{1}{x-2}dx$$

the answer is $$ln(x-2)$$

there's no denominator, so where is the one in the derivation popping up from?
 
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Perhaps the author used definite integrals, not indefinite integrals. Had he used the latter, there would have been a constant of integration, which seems to be missing from your equations.
 
##\frac{dQ}{Cε - Q} = \frac{dt}{RC}##
##\int^Q_{Q_0} \frac{dQ'}{Cε - Q'} = \int^t_{t_0} \frac{dt'}{RC}##
##ln|Cε - Q| - ln|Cε - Q_0| = \frac{t}{RC} - \frac{t_0}{RC}##
##ln(\frac{Cε - Q}{Cε - Q_0}) = \frac{t}{RC} - \frac{t_0}{RC}##

Q = 0 when t = 0
So you can set ##Q_0## and ##t_0## to 0.
 

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