Lecture 3: LC circuit

Discharging of capacitor through inductor

Let us consider a charged capacitor of capacitance C is connected to a pure inductor of
inductance L through a key K in series. When the key K is switched on, the capacitor starts
discharging through inductor. After certain time capacitor is fully discharged and inductor
becomes fully charged. The potential difference across the inductor becomes equal and opposite to
that of capacitor due to no energy loss. That capacitive energy ( q02 /2C) is converted to inductive
energy (L i02 /2). Now, inductor starts to charge the capacitor due to high potential difference
across it. In this process, the inductive energy converts in to capacitive energy. Due to no loss of

y
energy, this transfer of energy L→C and C→L is continues for the infinite time.
Thus in discharging process of a capacitor through inductor, there is an oscillation of

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energy/voltage/charge from capacitor to inductor and inductor to capacitor.
According to KVL, the algebraic sum of
instantaneous voltage drop across the
circuit elements for a closed loop is zero.
Thus E − V1 − V2 = 0
E = V1 + V2
Here E=0, Thus V1 + V2 = 0
an (1) Fig.1
If the current in circuit at time t is I Let the solution of eq.(2b) is:
and charge stored on capacitor is q then the q = A e αt (3)
potential drop across inductor and capacitor Differentiating two times eq.(3) w.r.to time t
di
.P
will be L and q/C respectively. we have:
dt
d 2q
Using eq.(1) = α 2 A e αt = α 2 q (4)
2
q di dt
+L =0 From eqs. (2b) and (4)
C dt
d 2q α 2 q + ω2 q = 0
.K

q
⇒ + =0
LC dt 2 α 2 + ω2 = 0
d 2q 1 α 2 = −ω 2
⇒ + q=0 (2a) α = ± jω
dt 2 LC
Since dimension of 1/LC is T-1 thus consider Since α has two values thus the total
D

1 solution can be written as linear combination

that ω2 = ; ω is angular frequency of
LC e jωt and e − jωt . Therefore eq.(3) becomes as:
oscillation. Hence eq.(2b) becomes as; q = A1 e jωt + A2 e − jωt (5)
d 2q Differentiating eq.(5) w.r.to time t we get:
⇒ + ω2 q = 0 (2b)
2 dq
dt I= = A1 jω e jωt − A2 jω e − jωt (6)
Eq.(2b) is similar to differential equation of dt
S.H.M. Hence the oscillation of charge
follows the simple harmonic oscillation.
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 Lecture 3: LC circuit

The constants A1 and A2 can be determined stored as magnetic energy in the inductor. In the
by applying initial condition. The initial same way the velocity of mass is zero when the
conditions are: entire energy is potential energy in spring, and is
dq maximum when the total energy is kinetic energy
At t=0, q=q0 and I = =0 of mass. Thus capacitor is like a spring while
dt
Under these conditions the eqs.(5) and (6) inductor is like a mass. i.e.
1 2 1
becomes as, L i ≡ m v 2 ⇒ ( L ≡ m)
q0 = A1 + A2 2 2
A1 + A2 = q0 (7) 1 q2 1 1
≡ k x 2 ⇒ (C ≡ )

y
2 C 2 k
And 0 = A1 jω − A2 jω
A1 − A2 = 0 (8) Example 1: A 20/π μf of a capacitor is

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discharged through a 50/π mH an inductor.
Solving eqs. (7) and (8), we have:
Calculate the frequency of discharge.
q Solution: Given that,
A1 = A2 = 0 (9)
2 C= 20/π μf, L=50/π mH, f=?
Putting values from eq.(9) to eq.(6), we have: We know that
q q
q = 0 e jωt + 0 e − jωt f =
1
=
1
2 2
⎛ e jωt + e − jωt ⎞
q = q0 ⎜
⎜
⎟
⎟
an 2π LC 50
2π
π
20
× 10 − 3 × × 10 − 6
π
⎝ 2 ⎠ 1 1 1000
f = = =
−
q = q0 cos(ωt ) 2 10 − 6 2 × 10
3
(10) 2
Thus in discharging process of capacitor f = 500 Hz
.P
trough inductor, the charge on capacitor is Example 2: A 20 μf of a capacitor is discharging
oscillatory in nature (fig.2). If T and f are the through a 50mH an inductor. If the maximum
time period and frequency of oscillation then, amplitude of an oscillatory charge in LC circuit
2π is 0.4μC then find the maximum amplitude of
T= = 2π LC
ω current?
.K

1
And f = =
1 Solution: Given that, C= 20 μf, L=50 mH,
T 2π LC q0=0.4μC, i0=?
We know that
q = q0 cos(ωt )
Differentiating this equation
D

dq
i= = −q0 ω sin(ωt )
dt
Fig.2 Thus i0 = q0 ω = 0
q
Note 1: Oscillation in LC circuit is equivalent to LC
oscillation in spring-mass system. In this case, 0.4 × 10 −6
the energy alternates between kinetic to i0 =
potential. The current in the LC-circuit is zero 50 × 10 − 3 × 20 × 10 − 6
when the entire energy is stored in the capacitor i0 = 0.4 × 10 −3 amp = 0.4mA
and it is maximum when the entire energy is
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