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A 1.51 F capacitor is charged through a 129 resistor and then discharged through

ID: 1656515 • Letter: A

Question

A 1.51 F capacitor is charged through a 129 resistor and then discharged through the same resistor by short-circuiting the battery.

A) While the capacitor is being charged, find the current in the circuit at the time when the charge on its plates has reached 1/e of its maximum value.

B) During the discharge of the capacitor, find the time for the charge on its plates to decrease to 1/e of its initial value.

C) Find the time for the current in the circuit to decrease to 1/e  of its initial value.

Explanation / Answer

Given capacitor C = 1.51 micro F
resistor, R = 129 ohm

a. capacitance charging equation is given by
   I = Io*e^(-t/RC)
   and q = qo*(1 - e^(-t/RC))
   now, q/qo = 1/e
   so e^-1 = 1 - e^(-t/RC))
   1 - 1/e = e^(-t/RC) = e^(-t/1.51*10^-6*129) = e^(-5133.733*t)
   ln(1 - 1/e) = -5133.733 t
   t = 8.8345*10^-5 s

   now, Io is not known
   so I/Io = 1 - 1/e = 0.632
   I = 0.632Io
   where Io is current at t = 0

b. discharge equation of capacitor
   q = qo*e^(-t/RC)
   q/qo = 1/e
   e^-1 = e^(-t/RC)
   t = RC = 1.9479*10^-4 s
c. discharge equation for current
   i = io*e^(-t/RC)
   i/io = 1/e
   so, t = RC = 1.9479*10^-4 s