5.6 Capacitor Discharge Flashcards
How do we know a capacitor has been fully discharged?
When pd across it is 0 and current in circuit is 0.
What happens to charge and pd during discharge?
They both decrease exponentially.
What happens to current during discharge?
Decreases exponentially.
What happens during the discharge process?
1) The current flows in the opposite direction to charging.
2) Pd and current both decrease
What is the equation for current during discharge?
It = (Io)e^-t/CR
What is the equation for pd and charge during discharge?
Qt = Qo(1-e^-t/CR) Vt = Vo(1-e^-t/CR)
Why does the current equation stay the same during charging and discharging?
As current always decreases when in a circuit with a capacitor.
Why does a larger resistance in a circuit mean for the capacitor.
It will charge/discharge slower.
In a Q/T graph how can we estimate the RC(time constant)?
We multiply max Q by 1/e (if discharge) or 1-1/e (for charge).
What does the time taken for discharge/charge is affected by?
resistance and capacitance
How do we discharge a capacitor?
Remove the power supply and completing the circuit.
