CSE251 Basic RC and RL circuits

DC transient Analysis

Resistor (R)

A component that resists the flow of electric current, causing a voltage drop.

Capacitor (C)

A device that stores electrical energy in an electric field, used in various circuits for timing and smoothing.

Inductor (L)

A passive electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it.

Source-Free RC Circuit

A circuit consisting of a resistor and capacitor but no external voltage or current sources acting on it.

Source-Free RL Circuit

A circuit consisting of a resistor and an inductor without any external voltage or current sources.

Kirchhoff’s Laws

Laws that deal with the current and voltage in electrical circuits, including KCL (Current) and KVL (Voltage).

Exponential Decay

A process where the quantity decreases at a rate proportional to its current value.

Time Constant (τ)

The time required for the voltage or current to decay to approximately 36.8% of its initial value.

Natural Response

The behavior of a circuit with no external sources, characterized by the exponential decay of voltage or current.

Forced Response

The behavior of a circuit in response to external sources, characterized by a steady-state condition.

Differential Equation

An equation that relates a function with its derivatives, commonly used to define circuit behavior.

Final Value Theorem

A method used to find the steady-state value of a function as time approaches infinity.

Initial Value (v(0+))

The voltage or current immediately after a change in a circuit, considering the effect of discontinuities.

Complementary Solution

The part of the solution to a differential equation that satisfies the homogeneous equation.

Particular Solution

The specific solution to a differential equation that accounts for the forcings or inputs in the circuit.

Voltage (v)

An electrical potential difference that drives current flow in a circuit.

Current (i)

The flow of electric charge in a circuit, measured in Amperes (A).