Scribd
Upload
157 views

Arfken MMCH 7 S 2 e 1

(1) The current I in an RC circuit obeys the differential equation dI/dt + I/RC = 0. (2) Solving this equation gives the solution I(t) = Ae-t/RC, where A is a constant. (3) For a capacitance of 10,000 μF charged to 100 V and discharging through a resistance of 1 MΩ, the initial current is 0.0001 amps and the current after 100 seconds is approximately 0.000099 amps.

Uploaded by

Hassan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
157 views

Arfken MMCH 7 S 2 e 1

(1) The current I in an RC circuit obeys the differential equation dI/dt + I/RC = 0. (2) Solving this equation gives the solution I(t) = Ae-t/RC, where A is a constant. (3) For a capacitance of 10,000 μF charged to 100 V and discharging through a resistance of 1 MΩ, the initial current is 0.0001 amps and the current after 100 seconds is approximately 0.000099 amps.

Uploaded by

Hassan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Arfken Mathematical Methods 7e: Section 7.2 - Exercise 7.2.

1 Page 1 of 2

Exercise 7.2.1
From Kirchhoff’s law the current I in an RC (resistance-capacitance) circuit (Fig. 7.1) obeys the
equation
dI 1
R + I = 0.
dt C
(a) Find I(t).
(b) For a capacitance of 10, 000 µF charged to 100 V and discharging through a resistance of
1 MΩ, find the current I for t = 0 and for t = 100 seconds.
´∞
Note. The initial voltage is I0 R or Q/C, where Q = 0 I(t) dt.

Solution

Part (a)
1
RI 0 + I=0
C
Bring the second term to the right side.
1
RI 0 = − I
C
Divide both sides by RI.
I0 1
=−
I RC
The left side can be written as d/dt(ln I) by the chain rule.
d 1
(ln I) = −
dt RC
Integrate both sides with respect to t.
t
ln I = − + C1
RC
Exponentiate both sides.
I(t) = e−t/RC+C1
= eC1 e−t/RC

www.stemjock.com
Arfken Mathematical Methods 7e: Section 7.2 - Exercise 7.2.1 Page 2 of 2

Use a new constant A for eC1 .


I(t) = Ae−t/RC
Part (b)

Use the relationship between voltage and charge for a capacitor to determine A.
Q
V =
Cˆ
1 ∞
= I(t) dt
C 0
ˆ
1 ∞ −t/RC
= Ae dt
C 0
A
= (−RC)(0 − 1)
C
= AR

Consequently,
V 100 V
A= = 6 = 0.0001 amps
R 10 Ω
and  
t
I(t) = 0.0001 exp − .
10000
Therefore,

I(0) = 0.0001 amps


I(100) ≈ 0.000099 amps.

The graph below shows I(t) vs. t, the charge on the capacitor as a function of time.

www.stemjock.com

You might also like