RRC Circuit - Capacitor Charge?

In summary, to find the charge on the capacitor in this circuit, you can use Kirchoff's voltage laws to calculate the voltage across the capacitor, since there will be no current flowing through it in the long term. This voltage can be found by writing a loop equation around the outer loop and solving for the loop current.
  • #1
bchubz
4
0

Homework Statement


http://www.webassign.net/hrw/hrw7_27-76.gif
The circuit in the figure shows a capacitor, two ideal batteries, two resistors, and a switch S. Initially S has been open for a long time. If it is then closed for a long time, what is the charge (in Coulombs) on the capacitor? Assume that the batteries have emfs of ε1 = 1.50 V and ε2 = 8.10 V and that C = 7.00 μF, R1 = 0.18 Ω, R2 = 0.44 Ω.

Homework Equations


Kirchoff's voltage laws


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried C*(V1+V2) = Q. This isn't correct, and not exactly sure where to go next.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
bchubz said:

Homework Statement


http://www.webassign.net/hrw/hrw7_27-76.gif
The circuit in the figure shows a capacitor, two ideal batteries, two resistors, and a switch S. Initially S has been open for a long time. If it is then closed for a long time, what is the charge (in Coulombs) on the capacitor? Assume that the batteries have emfs of ε1 = 1.50 V and ε2 = 8.10 V and that C = 7.00 μF, R1 = 0.18 Ω, R2 = 0.44 Ω.

Homework Equations


Kirchoff's voltage laws


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried C*(V1+V2) = Q. This isn't correct, and not exactly sure where to go next.

Because the two battery voltages are unequal, there will be a steady-state current in the long term. After stabilization, there will be no current through the cap, and a constant voltage across the cap. You can find that voltage by writing a loop equation around the outer loop to find the loop current, and then calculate what the voltages are at points going around the loop.
 
  • #3
Great thanks! I just needed a little nudge.
 

Related to RRC Circuit - Capacitor Charge?

1. What is an RRC circuit?

An RRC (resistance-capacitance-resistance) circuit is an electrical circuit that contains a resistor, a capacitor, and another resistor in series. This type of circuit is commonly used in electronic filters, oscillators, and timing circuits.

2. How does a capacitor charge in an RRC circuit?

In an RRC circuit, the capacitor charges through the first resistor until it reaches its maximum voltage. Then, the capacitor discharges through the second resistor until it reaches its minimum voltage. This cycle continues as long as the circuit is powered.

3. What is the time constant of an RRC circuit?

The time constant of an RRC circuit is the time it takes for the capacitor to charge or discharge to 63.2% of its maximum or minimum voltage, respectively. It is calculated by multiplying the resistance and capacitance values in the circuit.

4. How does the resistance affect the charging of a capacitor in an RRC circuit?

The resistance in an RRC circuit affects the rate at which the capacitor charges. A higher resistance will result in a slower charging time, while a lower resistance will result in a faster charging time.

5. What happens to the capacitor charge over time in an RRC circuit?

As time passes in an RRC circuit, the capacitor's charge will approach its maximum and minimum voltage values, but will never fully reach them due to the resistance in the circuit. This creates a sinusoidal waveform that oscillates between the two voltage values.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
6K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
2
Replies
62
Views
3K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
18
Views
5K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
2K
Back
Top