What Is the Capacitance for a Discharge to 27% in 2.8ms?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a capacitor discharging through a resistor, specifically examining the time it takes for the discharge current to decrease to 27% of its initial value. The subject area is electrical circuits, focusing on capacitor behavior during discharge.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the correct application of the discharge equation and the relationship between charge and current. There is an emphasis on rearranging equations before substituting values to avoid errors.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the equation's application and suggested checking calculations. Multiple interpretations of the equation's use are being explored, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of careful equation selection and the potential for confusion between charge and current equations. There is an acknowledgment of a mistake in the original calculation, but no resolution has been reached.

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Homework Statement


A capacitor is discharged through a 100\Omega resistor. The discharge current decreases to 27.0% of its initial value in 2.80ms.

What is the value of the capacitor?

Homework Equations



Qf=Qi*e(\frac{-t}{CR})

The Attempt at a Solution



ln(.27)=\frac{.0028s}{C100}

\frac{ln(.27)}{.0028}=4.68×104

Answer is wrong, which means I need help. :D Thanks!
 
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So you need to express C.

Your equation is ok, just when you put in the numbers... try that part again ;)
 
Firstly, be careful of the equation you use. The equation you state is for charge - but you're interested in current. In this case you're safe since the equations are exactly similar, but you might faulter in the future if you're not careful..

It may be useful to rearrange the equation before you insert the values, then you will see where you've made the mistake. In your answer the value you've calculated is the recipricol of capacitance rather than capacitance itself.
 
You have

4.68x104 = 1/C

So what is C ?

EDIT:
Ah, I really should refresh my screen more often. Two people got their responses in before I got around to it :blushing:
 
Last edited:

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