What Happens to Current Direction in an RL Circuit When the Switch is Opened?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an RL circuit with a battery, switch, inductor, and resistors. The switch has been closed for a period and is then opened, prompting a question about the direction of current in a specific loop immediately after the switch is opened.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the current flow before the switch is opened and question the implications of opening the switch on current direction. There is uncertainty about whether current ceases immediately upon opening the switch.

Discussion Status

Some participants are exploring the current directions in the circuit before the switch is opened, while others are questioning the assumptions regarding current behavior through the inductor and the voltage across it. There is an ongoing examination of the situation without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the behavior of the circuit components, particularly the inductor, and the effects of opening the switch after a period of being closed. There is a mention of the need to account for all components, including R1, in the analysis.

syhpui2
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Homework Statement



A circuit made with a battery, a switch, an inductor. and three resistors is shown in the figure. To begin with, switch S has been open for a long time. Then at time t = 0 the switch is closed.

http://i.imgur.com/ws5UD.png
ws5UD.png


After being closed for a long time, the switch S is now opened.
What is the direction of the current in the right hand loop containing L, R2 and R3 immediately after the switch is opened?

(a) clockwise
(b) counterclockwise Correct Answer

Homework Equations



Ampere's law?

The Attempt at a Solution



I am not sure how do I ind the direction of current if switch is opened? Should be no current?

Thx
 
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Before the switch is opened, what currents are flowing and in what directions?
 
gneill said:
Before the switch is opened, what currents are flowing and in what directions?

There are current on r2,r3 and inductor and it is clockwise...
 
syhpui2 said:
There are current on r2,r3 and inductor and it is clockwise...

No, that's not right. Yes, there is current through the inductor, but what is that current and what is the voltage across the inductor? What about R1?
 

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