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 the resistance in an RC circuit?
Increasing resistance increases the time constant, slowing down the charging/discharging process.
What is the effect of increasing the capacitance in an RC circuit?
Increasing capacitance increases the time constant, slowing down the charging/discharging process and allowing it to store more charge.
What is the effect of reaching steady state in a DC circuit with a capacitor?
The capacitor blocks DC current, acting like an open circuit.
What happens if a capacitor is uncharged in a circuit?
Current flows freely through the circuit.
What is the effect of connecting capacitors in parallel?
The total capacitance increases, allowing the circuit to store more charge at a given voltage.
Compare capacitors in series vs. parallel regarding total charge.
Series: Charge is the same on each capacitor () | Parallel: Total charge is the sum of charges on each capacitor ()
Compare capacitors in series vs. parallel regarding total capacitance.
Series: | Parallel:
Compare the behavior of a capacitor in a circuit at the initial state vs. steady state.
Initial State: Current flows freely, capacitor is uncharged | Steady State: No current flows, capacitor is fully charged and acts as an open circuit.
Compare the voltage behavior of capacitors in series vs parallel.
Series: Voltage is split across each capacitor. | Parallel: Voltage is the same across each capacitor.
Compare the current behavior of capacitors in series vs parallel.
Series: Current is the same through each capacitor. | Parallel: Current divides through each capacitor.