For a RC series circuit (Fig. 19-10), find (a) the time constant of the circuit; (b) vC and vR one time constant after the switch is closed and at 5 s, and (c) vC and vR one time constant after discharge starts, assuming the capacitor is fully charged to 10 V.
(a) Write Eq. (19-23) for the time constant in a RC series circuit and substitute values for R and C.
T = RC (19-23)
=(100×103)(20×10−6)=2 s(b) Write the formulas for charging voltage, substitute values, and solve for vC and vR.
vC=V(1−e−t/RC) (19-17)
When t = T = 2 s:
vC=10(1−e−2/2)=10(1−e−1)=10(1−0.368)=10(0.632)=6.32 VV=vR+vC (19-15)
vR=V−vC=10−6.32=3.68 VWhen t = 5 s:
vC=10(1−e−5/2)=10(1−e−2.5)=10(1−0.082)=10(0.918)=9.18 VvR=V−vC=10−9.18=0.82 V
(c) Write the formula for discharging voltage, substitute values, and solve for vC and vR.
vC=Ve−t/RC (19-22)
When t = T = 2 s:
vC=Ve−2/2=Ve−1=10(0.368)=3.68 V0=vR+vC (19-20)
vR=−vC=−3.68 V