All Flashcards
How do you find the total capacitance of capacitors in series?
Use the reciprocal addition formula:
How do you find the total capacitance of capacitors in parallel?
Add the capacitances directly:
Describe the process of charging a capacitor in an RC circuit.
Initially, current flows freely. As the capacitor charges, the voltage across it increases until it equals the source voltage, at which point current stops flowing.
Describe the process of discharging a capacitor in an RC circuit.
The capacitor releases its stored charge through the resistor, with the voltage and current decreasing exponentially over time.
What happens to the voltage across a capacitor in a DC circuit over time?
The voltage across the capacitor increases over time until it reaches the voltage of the source, after which it remains constant.
What is the effect of increasing resistance (R) in an RC circuit?
Increases the time constant (τ), resulting in slower charging and discharging of the capacitor.
What is the effect of increasing capacitance (C) in an RC circuit?
Increases the time constant (τ), resulting in slower charging and discharging of the capacitor.
What happens when a capacitor reaches steady state in a DC circuit?
It blocks DC current and acts like an open circuit.
What is the effect of connecting capacitors in series?
It decreases the overall equivalent capacitance.
What is the effect of connecting capacitors in parallel?
It increases the overall equivalent capacitance.
Describe the process of charging a capacitor in an RC circuit.
Initially, current flows freely into the uncharged capacitor. As the capacitor charges, the current decreases exponentially. Eventually, the capacitor reaches steady state, where its voltage equals the source voltage and current flow stops.
Describe the process of discharging a capacitor in an RC circuit.
When a charged capacitor discharges through a resistor, the charge, voltage, and current decrease exponentially with time. The rate of discharge is determined by the time constant τ = RC.
How do you calculate the total capacitance of capacitors connected in series?
Use the reciprocal formula:
How do you calculate the total capacitance of capacitors connected in parallel?
Add the capacitances directly:
What happens to a capacitor in a DC circuit over time?
Initially, current flows and the capacitor charges. As it charges, the current decreases. At steady state, the capacitor is fully charged, blocks DC current, and acts like an open circuit.