- #1
TimNJ
- 21
- 1
Hi all,
I'm trying to wrap my head around the physics behind the current that initial flows when a voltage step is applied across a capacitor. Namely, why does a large current initially flow into a parallel plate capacitor, but a large initial current does not flow if the capacitor is replaced by two simple wires (left unconnected)?
I understand that when a voltage is applied across any device, charges will redistribute (rapidly) such that the voltage across the device becomes equal to the voltage of the source.
So, what's so special about a capacitor (two metal plates close to each other) that causes this initial redistribution of charge to require such a large initial current?
Thanks!
Tim
I'm trying to wrap my head around the physics behind the current that initial flows when a voltage step is applied across a capacitor. Namely, why does a large current initially flow into a parallel plate capacitor, but a large initial current does not flow if the capacitor is replaced by two simple wires (left unconnected)?
I understand that when a voltage is applied across any device, charges will redistribute (rapidly) such that the voltage across the device becomes equal to the voltage of the source.
So, what's so special about a capacitor (two metal plates close to each other) that causes this initial redistribution of charge to require such a large initial current?
Thanks!
Tim