Steady State Current: Charge Flow Q&A

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of steady state current in electrical circuits, specifically addressing whether charge flow is equal to zero at steady state and the relationship between charge flow and current. The scope includes theoretical interpretations and mathematical relationships related to current and charge.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether charge flow is equal to zero at steady state current or if it is the rate of charge flow that is zero.
  • One participant clarifies that steady state current implies a constant charge per unit time flowing through a conductor, suggesting that zero current is just one scenario of steady state current.
  • Another participant defines steady state as the condition where the rate of change of current (dI/dt) is zero, indicating that current remains constant.
  • There is a mention of a periodic current where steady state refers to unchanging frequency and amplitude, leading to steady periodic behavior rather than constant values.
  • One participant emphasizes the relationship between charge flow and current, stating that if current is constant, it implies a constant rate of change of charge (dq/dt).
  • There are repeated inquiries about the relationship between charge flow and current, particularly in the context of a specific mathematical problem involving charge as a function of time (q(t)).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of steady state current and its implications for charge flow. There is no consensus on whether charge flow is zero or if it is the rate of charge flow that is zero, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding these interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference mathematical relationships and specific equations related to charge and current, indicating that assumptions about the nature of current and charge flow may depend on the context of the problem being discussed.

shenjie
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Hi all, can i know is it true that charge flow is equal to zero at steady state current? Or is the rate of charge flow equal to zero. Thanks :)
 
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Not sure what you mean exactly but in a current carrying conductor the charge is the electron ,
current itself is the movement of electric charge so how come the movement of charge add up to zero?
 
steady state current means that a constant charge per unit time is flowing through the wire, device, etc.
zero current is but one case of steady state current.
 
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shenjie said:
Hi all, can i know is it true that charge flow is equal to zero at steady state current? Or is the rate of charge flow equal to zero. Thanks :)

Steady state here means that dI/dt, or the rate of change of current, is zero, meaning that I (current) is a constant.

Zz.
 
Then does it have any relationship to the charge flow?? it is actually an ode question. i have obtain a q(t) equation in the first part, q = charge. The question ask to obtain steady state current from q(t)
 
Another interpretation could be that the current is periodic and its frequency and amplitude are unchanging.
When a sinusoidal current is applied to a circuit, a transient voltage and current is produced. This is followed by a "steady state" voltage and current. But neither voltage nor current is constant (including zero). They are steady in the sense that they behave in steady periodic form with steady amplitude and period.
 
shenjie said:
Then does it have any relationship to the charge flow?? it is actually an ode question. i have obtain a q(t) equation in the first part, q = charge. The question ask to obtain steady state current from q(t)

You appear to not understand the relationship between charge flow, and current.

I = dq/dt. If I is a constant (as in the steady state current), what does it say about dq/dt?. And if dq/dt is a constant, what is q(t)?

If this is related to school work, then (i) it should have been done in the HW/Coursework forum, and (ii) we've almost given you too much information.

Zz.
 

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