Circuits
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this topic, you should be able to: 1. Apply Kirchoffs Law to analyse the behaviour of the RC and RL circuits quantitatively; 2. Solve related problems in RC and RL circuits; 3. Explain what is meant by the time-constant; and 4. Explain qualitatively how electrical oscillations are generated across an LC circuit.
INTRODUCTION
In Topic 5, we analysed direct current circuits in which the current is constant. However, in direct current circuits containing capacitors, inductors or both, the current is always in the same direction, but its value may vary with time. In this topic, we will discuss time-varying currents during the charging and discharging of a capacitor in RC, RL and LC circuits.
9.1
RC CIRCUIT
In Topic 3, we covered the basic concepts of a capacitor. In this section, we will discuss the charging and discharging of a capacitor in an RC circuit. An RC circuit consists of a battery (of emf E) connected in series with a capacitor C and a resistor R through a switch S. See Figure 9.1
9.2
CHARGING A CAPACITOR
Initially there is no charge on the capacitor. To charge the capacitor, we close the switch to position a. Charges begin to flow between the capacitor plates and therefore current exists in the circuit until the capacitor is fully charged. We wish to investigate how the charge, q , the potential difference across the capacitor, vC , and the current, i , in the circuit vary with time. By applying Kirchoffs loop rule, we obtain:
E iR
q =0 C
(9.1)
Eq. 9.1 above has two variables i and q which are related by Equation 9.1
i=
dq dt
dq E q = dt R RC
(9.2)
This is a differential equation that describes how the charge q on the capacitor varies with time t. To solve the equation, we first rearrange the equation by placing terms involving q on one side and those involving t on the other side: dq 1 = dt q CE RC (9.2a)
Next we integrate both sides of the equation from the moment the switch is closed at t = 0 to an arbitrary time t some instant later. Remember that q = 0 at t = 0 and let the charge equal q at time t.
dq 1 = dt q CE RC 0
t q CE ln = RC CE t q CE log e = RC CE
TOPIC 9