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RC (Resistor-Capacitor) Circuits: AP Physics C
RC (Resistor-Capacitor) Circuits: AP Physics C
Circuits
AP Physics C
Time(s)
VResistor
t (sec)
After a very long time, Vcap= , as a result the potential difference between
these two points will be ZERO. Therefore, there will be NO voltage drop
across the resistor after the capacitor charges.
Note: This is while the capacitor is CHARGING.
t (sec)
Since the voltage drop across the resistor decreases as the capacitor
charges, the current across the resistor will reach ZERO after a very
long time.
Note: This is while the capacitor is CHARGING.
t (sec)
As the capacitor charges it eventually reaches the same voltage as
the battery or the EMF in this case after a very long time. This
increase DOES NOT happen linearly.
Note: This is while the capacitor is CHARGING.
t (sec)
Since the capacitor is in SERIES with the resistor the current will
decrease as the potential difference between it and the battery
approaches zero. It is the potential difference which drives the value for
the current.
Note: This is while the capacitor is CHARGING.
The time constant is the time that it takes for the capacitor to reach 63%
of the EMF value during charging.
Charging Behavior
Is there a function that will allow us to
calculate the voltage at any given time t?
Lets begin by using KVL
Vcap
t (sec)
We now have a first order differential equation.
Charging function
Charging function
q
dq
1
q=0 q C = RC t =0dt
C q
t
ln(
)=
C
RC
q C
t
= e RC
C
q C = C e
q(t ) = C C e
q(t ) C (1 e
=
C
C
RC
RC
= C (1 e
V (t ) = (1 e
RC
RC
RC
RC
V (1RC ) = (1 e
0.95
0.86
RC
RC
V (1RC ) = (1 e 1 ) =
V (2 RC ) = 0.86
V (3RC ) =
V (4 RC ) =
0.98
0.63
Transient
State
0.63
Steady
State
0.95
1RC
2RC
31RC
4RC
0.98
Applying each time constant produces the charging curve we see. For practical
purposes the capacitor is considered fully charged after 4-5 time constants(
steady state). Before that time, it is in a transient state.
Charging Functions
q(t ) = C (1 e
RC
)
t
V (t ) (1 e
RC
V (t ) = (1 e
)
=
R
R
t
I (t ) = I o (1 e
RC
RC
VResistor
t (sec)
IResistor
t (sec)
Icap
t (sec)
Discharging Functions
0 IR Vcap = 0
dq
q
R =0
dt
C
dq
q
dq
q
R=
=
dt
C
dt
RC
q
1
1
q q dq = RC t =0dt
o
Discharging Functions
q
1
1
q q dq = RC t =0dt
o
q
=e
qo
t
RC
q
t
ln( ) =
qo
RC
q(t ) = qo e
t
RC
V (t ) = o e
I (t ) = I o e
t
RC
t
RC