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RC Circuits: Example 1. Very Simple RC Circuit: A Capacitor C, Charged To An Initial Voltage V

This document discusses RC circuits, which contain a resistor and capacitor. It provides examples of simple RC circuits and how the charge and voltage on the capacitor change over time based on the resistor and capacitor values. The time it takes for the charge/voltage to change by a certain amount is defined as the RC time constant. Exponential functions are used to describe how the charge and voltage vary with time in RC circuits.

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Nitin Sharma
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74 views

RC Circuits: Example 1. Very Simple RC Circuit: A Capacitor C, Charged To An Initial Voltage V

This document discusses RC circuits, which contain a resistor and capacitor. It provides examples of simple RC circuits and how the charge and voltage on the capacitor change over time based on the resistor and capacitor values. The time it takes for the charge/voltage to change by a certain amount is defined as the RC time constant. Exponential functions are used to describe how the charge and voltage vary with time in RC circuits.

Uploaded by

Nitin Sharma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RC-1

RC Circuits
An RC circuit is a circuit with a resistor (R) and a capacitor (C). RC circuits are used to
construct timers and filters.
Example 1. Very simple RC circuit: a capacitor C, charged to an initial voltage V0 = Q0/C,
attached to a resistor R with a switch.

switch

+Q0 Q Q0
C R C= V0 =
Q0 V C

Close the switch at time t = 0 , so current I starts to flow. The charged capacitor is acting like a
battery: it produces a voltage difference across the resistor which drives the current through the
resistor:
V0
At t = 0+, I0 = .
+Q R
C I R
Q dQ
I= ( sign because Q is decreasing)
dt

Q Q dQ dQ 1
Vacross C = Vacross R , VC = VR , = IR , = R , = Q
C C dt dt RC

RC = "time constant" = , has units of time


dx
is a differential equation of the form = a x , where a is a constant.
dt

This equation says: (rate of charge of x) x exponential solution : x = x 0 exp ( a t )

dx d ( x 0 ea t )
Check: = = a x 0 ea t = a x . It works!
dt dt

a > 0 exponential growth , a < 0 exponential decay


dQ 1 t t
The solution to = Q is Q(t) = Q 0 exp = C V0 exp
dt RC RC
Notice that at t = 0, the formula gives Q = Q0 .
In time , Q falls by a factor of exp(1) = 1/e 0.37..

Last update: 10/8/2009 Dubson Phys1120 Notes, University of Colorado


RC-2

In time 2, Q falls by a factor of exp(2) = (1/e)(1/e) 0.14..


Q approaches zero asymptotically, and so does V and I

Q
t t
Q0 Q(t) = Q 0 exp = Q 0 exp
RC

Q0/e
t

dQ V
V=Q/C I = = + 0 exp( t / )
dt R

t t

Example 2: More complex RC circuit: Charging a capacitor with a battery.


Let's use symbol E for battery voltage (E
switch short for emf) because there are so many
other V's in this example.
C VC = Q / C
E
Before switch is closed, I = 0, Q = 0.
R VR = I R Close switch at t = 0.
Always true that E = VC + VR ,
by Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (Loop Law)

The charge Q on the capacitor and the voltage VC = Q / C across the capacitor cannot change
instantly, since it takes time for Q to build up, so ..

At t = 0+ , Q = 0 , VC = 0, E = VC + VR = VR = I R I0 = E / R

Although Q on the capacitor cannot change instantly, the current I = dQ/dt can change instantly.

"Current through a capacitor" means dQ/dt . Even


though there is no charge ever passing between the + -
plates of the capacitor, there is a current going into one I - I
+
+ -
+ -
Last update: 10/8/2009 Dubson Phys1120 Notes, University of Colorado
RC-3

plate and the same current is coming out of the other plate, so it is as if there is a current passing
through the capacitor.

E = VR + VC
E C
Q dQ
E = IR + , I=+
C dt
I R dQ Q
E = R +
dt C

Qualitatively, as t , Q , VC = Q/C , VR , I = VR / R . After a long time , t >> = RC ,


the current decreases to zero: I = 0, VC = E , Q = C E

Vc = Q / C
Analytic solution:
E
VC (t) = E [1 exp( t / RC) ]

Q(t) = E C [1 exp( t / RC) ]


t

Things to remember:
Uncharged capacitor acts like a "short" ( a wire ) since VC = Q / C = 0.
After a long time, when the capacitor is fully charged, it acts like an "open-circuit" ( a
break the wire). We must have IC = 0 eventually, otherwise Q , VC .

Last update: 10/8/2009 Dubson Phys1120 Notes, University of Colorado

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