RC Circuits

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts of RC Circuits, including charging, discharging, energy storage, and immediate/long-term behavior.

RC Circuits

Circuits composed of resistors and capacitors.

Potential Difference Across Resistor (Switch Closed)

Instantaneously the same as the battery.

Potential Difference Across Capacitor (Switch Closed)

Takes time for charge to accumulate on the plates.

Light Bulb Brightness (Capacitor Charging)

Decreases until the capacitor is charged and then goes out.

Potential Difference Across Capacitor (Right After Switch Closed)

0V, because no charge has accumulated on the capacitor plates.

Current Through Circuit (Capacitor Accumulating Charge)

Decreases until it reaches zero when the ΔV across the capacitor matches the ΔV of the battery.

i

Represents the decreasing current when charging a capacitor.

V = iR

Equation for the voltage across a lightbulb (resistor).

V = q/C

Equation for the voltage across a capacitor, where q is the charge deposited.

Qmax

The maximum charge placed on the capacitor by the battery, calculated as Qmax = CV.

Maximum Current Through Circuit

Occurs right when the switch is closed.

Discharging a Capacitor

The capacitor is disconnected from the battery and only connected to a load like a light bulb.

Light Bulb Behavior (Capacitor Discharging)

Gets dimmer and then turns off.

Energy Stored in a Capacitor (UC)

UC = ½ QV.

Current Across Capacitor (Fully Charged)

0A.

Resistance in Branch with Capacitor (Immediately After Switch Closed)

0Ω, effectively acting like a short circuit initially.

Circuit Behavior (Capacitor Fully Charged for a Long Time)

The current in the branch with the capacitor is 0A, and the rest of the current acts as though the capacitor is not there.

Fully Charged Capacitors

Acts like an open switch where current cannot flow through.