What are the different methods to measure the resistance of a capacitor?

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SUMMARY

This discussion outlines three methods to measure the resistance of a capacitor: the direct method, Ohm's Law, and the analogy between electrostatics and electrokinetics. The direct method involves calculating resistance using the formula R = ∫(ρ/A) ds, while Ohm's Law is expressed as R = U/I, where U is the voltage and I is the current. The analogy allows for the translation of electrostatic equations into electrokinetic ones, highlighting the differences between ideal and real capacitors, particularly in terms of charge transfer and resistance values.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Ohm's Law and its application in electrical circuits.
  • Familiarity with the concepts of capacitance and charge in capacitors.
  • Knowledge of electrostatics and electrokinetics principles.
  • Basic calculus for interpreting integrals in resistance calculations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of resistance equations in capacitors using calculus.
  • Explore the differences between ideal and real capacitors in practical applications.
  • Learn about the impact of series and parallel resistances in capacitor circuits.
  • Investigate the relationship between conductivity and current density in resistive materials.
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, physics students, and anyone involved in circuit design or analysis, particularly those focusing on capacitor behavior and resistance measurement techniques.

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Homework Statement


I was told that I can measure the "resistance" of a capacitor using 3 methods:
1. "The direct method"
R = \int_1^2 \frac{\rho}{A} ds

2. "Ohm's Law"

R=\frac{U}{I}
U=\int_1^2 E ds
E=\rho J = \frac{\rho i}{A}

3. "The analogy between electrostatics and electrokinetics"
\epsilon is replaced by \sigma
and
C is replaced by G

Homework Equations



What does this really mean, the resistance of the capacitor?
Why is E=\rho J?
What is this analogy between electrostatics and electrokinetics?

The Attempt at a Solution

 
Last edited:
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It means exactly what it says... probably the easiest way to view it is to look at the Ohm's law approach.

An ideal capacitor has infinite DC resistance ... when an ideal DC voltage source is connected via ideal conducting wires, the charge flows from one plate to the other in zero time giving rise to an infinite current.

This does not happen in real life though.
IRL it takes a finite amount of time for the charges to transfer ...

You should be able to derive that equation ... do you know what the letters stand for?

The analogy in question is just a handy way of getting electrokinetic equations from the static ones.
Most people can remember the electrostatics.
 
There is series resistance Rs and there is parallel reistance Rp. The former is usually << 1 ohm, the latter >> 1 megohm for say a C = 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor. So we can say that if we apply a voltage V across C then I = V/Rp after a very short time of say 10 Rs*C time constants, maybe 0.1 μs.

The electric field inside the capcitive part of C depends on how it's fabricated. In all cases, ∫Edl = V = Q/C with Q the charge and C the capacitance. Inside Rp we have E = i/σ where i is current density and σ = conductivity of the resistive material for Rp.
 

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