The discharge curve for a capacitor connected in series with a resistor is shown
ID: 1540780 • Letter: T
Question
The discharge curve for a capacitor connected in series with a resistor is shown below, (a) If the capacitance of the capacitor is 22.50 farads, what is the resistance of the resistor? (b) Please calculate the time constant for this circuit. After two time constants, what is the potential across capacitor? (c) Please calculate the amount of charge on the capacitor 25.00 minutes after discharge has started (b) Once capacitor is fully discharged, the charging process begun. How much time, after charging begins, is required for the potential difference across the capacitor to reach 16.50 volts? Please show detailed calculations for each step.Explanation / Answer
during discharge , the Voltage across the capacitor at any time "t" is given as
V(t) = Vo e-t/T where Vo = maximum Voltage act t = 0
from the graph , at t = , Vo = 40 volts
at t = 10 min = 10 x 60 = 600 sec , V(10) = 20 volts
hence 20 = 40 e-600/T
T = 865.62 sec
Time constant is given as
RC = 865.62
R (22.5) = 865.62
R = 38.5 ohm
b)
T = time constant = RC = 865.62 sec
V(t) = Vo e-t/T
at t = 2T
V(t) = (40)e-2T/T
V(t) = 5.41 volts
c)
Qo = initial charge = C Vo = 22.5 x 40 = 900 C
for discharging capacitor , charge at any time is given as
Q(t) = Qo e-t/T
at t = 25 x 60 = 1500 sec
Q(1500) = (900) e-1500/865.62
Q(1500) = 159.1 C