All Flashcards
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.
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: Reciprocal addition is used. Parallel: Capacitances are added directly.
Compare the behavior of a capacitor in a DC circuit initially versus at steady state.
Initially: Current flows freely. Steady State: No current flows; acts as an open circuit.
Compare charging vs. discharging an RC circuit regarding current flow.
Charging: Current decreases exponentially. Discharging: Current (magnitude) decreases exponentially, and flows in the opposite direction.
Compare the voltage distribution in series vs parallel capacitor circuits.
Series: Voltage is split across capacitors. Parallel: Voltage is the same across each capacitor.