Lecture 2: Current in RC circuit

Charging of Capacitor through Resister

Let us consider a capacitor of capacitance C is connected to a DC source of e.m.f. E through a
resister of resistance R and a key K in series. When the key K is switched on, the charging process
of capacitor starts. The charge on capacitor increases with time and attains its maximum in
certain duration of time. As the time passes, potential difference across the plates of capacitor
increases due to increase of charge. This potential difference opposes the source for charging. As a
result flow of charge reduces. Hence in the process of charging of capacitor, initially the maximum
current flows through circuit and it decreases with time.

y
According to KVL, the algebraic sum of
instantaneous voltage drop across the
circuit elements for a closed loop is zero.

de
Thus, for the present RL circuit,
E − V1 − V2 = 0
E = V1 + V2 (1) Fig 1
If at any instant the current in circuit is I 1
log e (CE − q ) − log e (CE ) = − t
and charge stored on capacitor is q then the
an
potential drop across resister and capacitor
log e
(CE − q)
=−
t
RC

will be RI and q/C respectively. (CE) RC

Using eq.(1), we can write, −
t
CE − q
q q = e RC
E = RI + ⇒ RI = E − CE
C C t
dq CE − q −
.P
q
R = 1− = e RC
dt C CE
dq 1 t
= dt (2) q −
CE − q RC = 1 − e RC
CE
Integrating eq.(2)
.K

⎛ −
t ⎞
dq 1 ⎜ ⎟
∫ CE − q = RC ∫ dt + C ′ q = CE ⎜1 − e RC
⎜
⎟
⎟
(5)
1 ⎝ ⎠
− log e (CE − q) = t + C′ (3)
RC
Here C ′ is integration constant and is
D

determined by initial condition.

i.e. when t=0, q=0 then from eq.(3) we have
− log e (CE ) = C ′ (4)
From eqs.(3) and (4), we can write,
1
− log e (CE − q) = t − log e (CE )
RC
1
log e (CE − q) = − t + log e (CE )
RC
Fig.2

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 Lecture 2: Current in RC circuit

Since , the steady state charge or maximum

charge (q0)= CE
And dimension of RC = dimension of time;
Say, RC = τ = capacitive time constant
Hence eq.(4) becomes as,
(
q = q0 1 − e − t / τ ) (6)
Eqs. (5) and (6) are called as expression of
charge on capacitor at instant t. These

y
expressions indicates that- Fig.3
(1) Initially the charge on capacitor is zero. Capacitive Time constant
(2) It increases exponentially following A. We know that

de
expression (1 − e −t τ ) .
(3) After infinite time, it reaches to its
(
q = q0 1 − e − t / τ )
steady state value (q0). When t=τ then from eq. (6), we can write
If V is potential difference across the plates
(
q = q 0 1 − e −1 )
of capacitor at instant t then from eq.(6) ⎛ 1⎞
q = q 0 ⎜1 − ⎟
(
CV = CE 1 − e −t / τ )
an ⎝ e⎠

( ) (
V = E 1 − e − t / τ = V0 1 − e − t / τ(7)) ⎛
q = q 0 ⎜1 −
1 ⎞
⎝ 2.718 ⎠
⎟
Eq. (7) shows that the nature of potential q = q 0 (1 − 0.368)
difference across the plates of capacitor is
q = 0.632 q 0
similar to that of charge stored in capacitor.
.P
Differentiating eq.(6), q = 0.632 q0 = 63.2%q0
dq q0 − t / τ
= e Thus the time constant for the RC circuit is
dt τ the time in which the current increases up to
dq CE − t / τ
= e 63.2% of maximum current.
.K

dt RC
dq E − t / τ B. We know that
= e
dt R I = I 0 e −t / τ
I = I 0 e −t / τ (8) When t=τ then from eq. (6), we can write
1 1
Eq. (8) is called as expression of current in I = I 0 e −1 = I 0= I0 = 0.368 I 0
D

e 2.718
the process of charging of capacitor. This I = 0.368 I 0 = 36.8% I 0
expression indicates that-
Thus the time constant for the RC circuit is
(1) Initially, the current through circuit the time in which the current decays from its
is maximum (I0). maximum value to 36.8% of maximum
(2) It decreases exponentially following current.
expression (e − t τ ) .
(3) After infinite time, it reaches to zero.

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 Lecture 2: Current in RC circuit

Discharging of capacitor through resister

Let us consider a charged capacitor of capacitance C is connected to a resister of resistance R
through a key K in series. When the key K is switched on, the capacitor discharges through
resister. The charge on capacitor started to decrease due to loss of capacitive energy through
resister.
According to KVL, the algebraic sum of
instantaneous voltage drop across the
circuit elements for a closed loop is zero.

y
Thus E − V1 − V2 = 0
E = V1 + V2
Fig.1

de
Here E=0, Thus V1 + V2 = 0 (1)
If the current in circuit at time t is I Since, dimension of RC= dimension of time;
and charge stored on capacitor is q then the Say, RC = τ = Capacitive time constant
potential drop across resister and capacitor Hence eq.(5) becomes as,
will be RI and q/C respectively. q = q0 e − t / τ (6)
Using eq.(1)
q
RI +
C
=0
an Eqs. (5) and (6) are expressions for charge on
capacitor at instant t in case of discharging.
q These expressions indicate that Initially the
⇒ RI = −
C charge on capacitor has maximum value q0
dq q and It decreases exponentially following
⇒ =−
dt RC expression (e −t τ ) .
.P
dq 1
⇒ =− dt (2)
q RC
Integrating eq.(1)
dq 1
∫ =−
RC ∫
dt + C ′
.K

q
t
log e q = − + C′ (3)
RC
Here C ′ is integration constant and is
Fig.2
determined by initial condition.
D

i.e. when t=0, q=q0 then from eq.(3) we have If V is potential difference across the plates
log e q0 = C ′ (4) of capacitor at instant t then from eq.(6)
From eqs. (3) and (4), we can write, CV = CE e −t / τ
log e q = −
t
+ log e q0 V = E e −t / τ = V0 e −t / τ (7)
RC
q t q Eq. (7) is expression of potential difference
log e =− ⇒ = e − t / RC
q0 RC q0 across the plates of capacitor in its
discharging case.
q = q0 e −t / RC (5)
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 Lecture 2: Current in RC circuit
Differentiating eq.(6) High resistance by leakage of capacitor
dq q CE − t / τ
= − 0 e−t / τ = − e The high resistance can be measured with the
dt τ RC
dq E discharging process of capacitor.
= − e −t / τ Principle: In the case of discharging of
dt R
capacitor, the charge ‘q’ on capacitor at any
I = − I 0 e −t / τ (8) instant t is given by,
Eq. (8) is called as expression of current in q = q0 e −t / RC
the process of discharging of capacitor. This q
= e − t / RC

y
expression indicates that- q0
(1) Initially, the maximum current flows q0
through circuit in opposite direction of = e t / RC

de
q
charging case.
Taking log on both side
(2) It decreases exponentially following
q t
expression (e −t τ ) . log e 0 =
q RC
(3) After infinite time, it approaches to zero. t
R=
q
an C log e 0
q
t
R= (1)
q
2.3026C log10 0
q
Using eq.(1), the value of R can determined
.P
on the knowledge of discharging time(t),
Fig.3 capacitance (C) and q0/q.
Capacitive Time Constant Method for determination of q0/q:
In case of discharging of capacitor, the For the determination0 of q0/q following
circuit is designed (Fig.1.
.K

charge on capacitor at instant is given by

following expression.
q = q0 e −t / RC
When t=τ then from above eq., we can write
1 1
q = q0 e −1 = q0 = q0 = 0.368 q0
D

e 2.718
q = 0.368 q0 = 36.8% q0

Thus the time constant for the RC circuit is

the time in which the charge on capacitor Fig.1
decays from steady state value to 36.8% of 1. First of all K1 key is pressed for few
its maximum. minutes, so that capacitor is charged up to
maximum value q0. Now K1 is released and

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 Lecture 2: Current in RC circuit

K2 is pressed. At this stage, the capacitor Note A: The small resistance is not be measured
discharges through galvanometer which by this method because of low time constant for
provides a deflection θ0 corresponding to it. Due to low time constant, the capacitor
charge on capacitor q0. discharges in very soon time. Thus, experimental
2. Now K1 is again pressed after releasing K2 measurement is not possible for this case.
so that capacitor is fully recharged. After it Note B:
K3 is pressed for known time t. By this, Unit of RC = ohm × farad
charged capacitor discharges through resister. volt coulomb
= ×
As a result, the instantaneous charge on it amp volt

y
becomes q. This rest charge on capacitor is volt amp × sec
= ×
allowed to discharge with galvanometer by amp volt
pressing key K2. In this process, the = sec

de
galvanometer gives a deflection θ. Dimension of τ for RC circuit= dimension of
Since q ∝ θ time
Thus, q = k θ (2) Example 1: A capacitor is charged to a certain
Similarly, q0 = k θ 0 (3) potential through a resistance of 30MΩ. If it
Here k is a constant reaches 3/4 of its final potential in 0.5sec then
From eqs.(2) and (3), we have,
q0 θ 0
an calculate the capacitance.
Solution: Given that,
= (4) R= 3M Ω, V=3V0/4 and t=0.5 sec , C=?
q θ
We know that
Substituting value from eq.(4) to eq.(1),
(
V = V0 1 − e −t / RC )
t
R= (5) 3V0
( )
.P
θ = V0 1 − e −t / RC
2.3026C log10 0 4
θ 3
= 1 − e −t / RC
By the process (2), a series of t and q are 4
obtained. A graph is then plotted log10(θ0/ θ) e −t / RC = 1 −
3
.K

verses t which comes a straight line (Fig.2). 4

The slope of this line provides the mean value 1
e −t / RC =
of t/ log10(θ0/ θ). Knowing the value of C, 4
the value of R is calculated with of eq.(5). t
e t / RC = 4 ⇒ = log e 4
RC
t t
D

C= =
R log e 4 2.3026 R log10 4
t
C=
2 × 2.3026 R log10 2
0.5
C=
2 × 2.3026 × 3 × 10 6 × 0.3010
0.5
C= × 10 −6 = 0.1202 × 10 −6 F
4.1585
Fig.2 C = 0.12μF
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 Lecture 2: Current in RC circuit

Example 2: A capacitor of capacitance 0.5μF is q0

(iii) I = I 0 e −t / RC = e −t / τ
discharged through a resister. If half remains on τ
capacitor in 3.47 sec then find the resistance? 30.34 × 10 −6
30.34 × 10 −6
Solution: Given that, C=0.5μF, t=3.45 sec, I= e −1 =
1 e
q=q0/2, R=? 30.34 × 10 −6
t I= = 11.163 × 10 −6 amp
R= 2.718
q
2.3026C log10 0 I = 11.1639 μA
q
Example4 A capacitor of capacitance 5μF is
3.47

y
R= discharged through a resister of resistance
2.3026 × 0.5 × 10 -6 × log10 2 10MΩ. Find the time in which charge on
R=
3.47 capacitor reduces to 36.8% of its maximum

de
2.3026 × 0.5 × 10 -6 × 0.3010 value.
R=
3.47
× 10 6 Solution: Given that, R= 10MΩ, C=5μF ,
0.3465 If q=36.8%q0, t=?
3.47 We know that when q=36.8%q0, t=τ
R= × 10 6 = 10 × 10 6 Ω
0.347 t = τ = RC = 10 × 10 6 × 5 × 10 −6
R = 10 MΩ t = 50 sec
Example 3: A capacitor of capacitance 4μF is
charging with source of 12volts through a
an Example5 When a charged capacitor of
capacitance 1μF is connected through a
resister 1MΩ. Find out the instantaneous galvanometer then it gives a deflection of 15cm.
charge, voltage and current after time 4sec? But it provides 10cm deflection when it
Solution: Given that, C=4μF , E=12volts, discharged initially through a resister for 10sec.
R=1MΩ Find the value of resistance.
.P
q=?, V=? and i=? Solution: Given that, C=1μF, t=10 sec,
τ = RC = 4 × 10 −6 × 1 × 10 6 = 4 sec θ0=20cm, θ=15cm, R=?
( )
(i) q = q0 1 − e −t / τ R=
t
q = CE (1 − e τ )
−t / θ
2.3026C log10 0
.K

θ
(
q = 4 × 10 −6 × 12 × 1 − e −4 / 4 ) 10
q = 48 × 10 −6
× 1− e ( −1
) R=
2.3026 × 1 × 10 - 6 × log10 (15 / 10)
⎛ 1⎞
q = 48 × 10 −6 × ⎜1 − ⎟ 10 × 10 6
⎝ e⎠ R=
2.3026 × log10 (3 / 2)
D

⎛ 1 ⎞
q = 48 × 10 −6 × ⎜1 − ⎟ 10 × 10 6
⎝ 2.718 ⎠ R=
q = 48 × 10 −6 × (1 − 0.368) 2.3026 × (log10 3 − log10 2)

q = 48 × 10 −6 × 0.632 10 × 10 6
R=
q = 30.34 × 10 −6 C 2.3026 × (0.4771 − 0.3010)
q = 30.34μC 10 × 10 6 10 × 10 6
R= =
30.34 × 10 −6 2.3026 × 0.1761 0.4055
(ii) V = q / C = = 7.585 volt R = 24.66 MΩ
4 × 10 −6
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