What Sets a Current Pulse Apart from a DC Circuit?

AI Thread Summary
A current pulse is characterized by a rapid change in current, jumping from 0A to 10A and remaining at that level for 200 microseconds before dropping back to 0A. This differs from a DC circuit where the current remains constant when a switch is closed, as a current pulse is transient and short-lived. Generating a clean 200-microsecond pulse is challenging with analog switches, making digital switches more effective for this purpose. In scenarios involving inductance, such as a circuit with a .01H inductor and a 100 Ohm resistor, the assumption is often made that the inductor's effect can be neglected during the pulse duration. Overall, the behavior of a current pulse differs significantly from that of a steady DC current.
Gear300
Messages
1,209
Reaction score
9
A current pulse exists, in which the current jumps from 0A to 10A, stays at 10A for 200 microseconds, then drops from 10A to 0A. What makes a current pulse different from the current that runs when a switch in a DC circuit is left closed for 200 microseconds...is it the same concept?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A current pulse is a current that runs for a short time. Closing a switch in a DC network for a short time will likely produce a current pulse. Getting a clean pulse with length 200 microseconds with an analog switch is rather hard, and a current pulse of this length is better generated with a digital switches.
 
Oh...so let's say that a current pulse for 200 microseconds existed...could we take it that inductance is negligible? The problem I was doing involved a partial branch of a circuit with a .01H inductor parallel to a 100 Ohm resistor. It stated that a current pulse existed, in which it jumped from 0 to 10 Amps, stays for 200 microseconds, then drops to 0A (these values are for the current before the junction). The problem asked me to come up with a function of time for the current through the inductor for that period of 200 microseconds, but to come up with the answer they gave, we have to assume that the current before the junction is unaffected by the inductor (remains 10A for that period)...also, the rate at which the current jumps and drops is almost a straight vertical line...it was as if the phenomenon of inductance was completely neglected; so I was assuming this might be a little different from simply closing a DC circuit for 200 microseconds.
 
Last edited:
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Back
Top