Why is V(R) < 0 for discharging in RC circuit?

In summary, V(R) is typically negative in a discharging RC circuit because the voltage across the resistor switches to a lower value in order to discharge the capacitor. This is in contrast to the positive voltage across the resistor during charging. Without further clarification, it is assumed that V(R) refers to the voltage across the resistor in question.
  • #1
dom1985
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0
Why is V(R) < 0 for discharging in RC circuit?
 
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  • #2
You may get better responces if you provide more information. What is V(R)?
 
  • #3
Lacking clarification I will plunge in anyway... Guessing that V(R) is the voltage across a resistor in an Resistor-Capacitor circuit, and further guessing that the circuit is being both charged and discharged through the same resistor... If one says the voltage is positive across the resistor when charging, it must be negative when discharging because the end of the resistor that _was_ positive must be switched to something that has a lower voltage than the charge on the capacitor in order to discharge it.

If there was an easy way to draw circuit diagrams I would do it and then what I'm trying to say would be fairly obvious, but I'm to lazy to figure it out...
 

Related to Why is V(R) < 0 for discharging in RC circuit?

1. Why does the voltage decrease during discharging in an RC circuit?

The decrease in voltage during discharging in an RC circuit is a result of the flow of electrons from the capacitor to the resistor. As the capacitor releases its stored charge, the voltage across it decreases, causing a decrease in the overall voltage of the circuit.

2. What is the significance of V(R) being negative during discharging in an RC circuit?

The negative value of V(R) during discharging indicates that the current is flowing in the opposite direction of the voltage drop. This is because the capacitor is releasing its stored charge, causing the current to flow from the capacitor to the resistor in the opposite direction of the voltage drop.

3. How does the value of the resistor affect the voltage during discharging in an RC circuit?

The value of the resistor affects the rate at which the capacitor discharges and therefore, the voltage across the capacitor. A higher resistance will result in a slower discharge and a lower voltage, while a lower resistance will result in a faster discharge and a higher voltage.

4. Can V(R) ever be positive during discharging in an RC circuit?

No, V(R) cannot be positive during discharging in an RC circuit. This is because the capacitor is releasing its stored charge, causing the current to flow in the opposite direction of the voltage drop, resulting in a negative V(R) value.

5. How does the time constant of an RC circuit relate to the voltage during discharging?

The time constant, represented by the symbol τ, is a measure of how quickly the capacitor discharges in an RC circuit. A smaller time constant means the capacitor will discharge more quickly, resulting in a larger change in voltage during discharging. Conversely, a larger time constant means the capacitor will discharge more slowly, resulting in a smaller change in voltage during discharging.

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