Physics

Physics

Problem

A 9.0 V9.0\,\text{V} battery is connected in series with a 2.0 kΩ2.0\,\text{k}\Omega resistor and a 4.7 μF4.7\,\mu\text{F} capacitor at time t=0t=0. Neglect internal resistance of the battery. (a) Calculate the time constant τ\tau for this circuit. (b) Determine the time required for the capacitor voltage to reach approximately 63%63\% of its final value. (c) At what time will the current in the circuit have dropped to one-tenth of its initial value? Justify your reasoning without deriving a full exponential expression. (d) On qualitatively labeled axes (no numerical scale required), sketch both the current and the capacitor-voltage curves on the same set of axes from t=0t=0 to a time of about 4τ4\tau. Indicate which curve corresponds to which quantity and show the location of the points you calculated in parts (b) and (c).

Browse the problem library