MAXWELL'S EQUATIONS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES — Edward Purcell & David Morin
Physics — E&M · rc-circuit
Problem
A 2000 ohm resistor and a 1 microfarad capacitor are connected in series across a 120 volt (rms), 60 Hz line.
(a) What is the total impedance?
(b) What is the rms value of the current?
(c) What is the average power dissipated in the circuit?
(d) What will be the reading of an ac voltmeter connected across the resistor? Across the capacitor?
(e) The left and right plates of a cathode ray tube are connected across the resistor, and the top and bottom plates are connected across the capacitor. The horizontal and vertical axes of the tube's screen therefore indicate the voltages across the resistor and capacitor, respectively. Sketch the pattern that you expect to see on the screen. From the given information, is it possible to determine the direction in which the pattern is traced out?