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ELECTROMAGNETICS
5. D.C CIRCUITS
POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. Electric currents whose magnitudes vary for a small time while growing to
maximum or decaying to zero are called transient currents.
GROWTH OF CURRENT IN LR CIRCUIT
2. When switch S is closed at t=0; Ri
dt
di
L =
3. At time t, current

=

L
R
t
e 1
R
i
1. The constant L/R has dimensions of time and is called the
inductive time constant ( ) of the LR circuit.
2.
0
i 63 . 0 i ; t = = , in one time constant, the current reaches
63% of the maximum value. The time constant tells us how
fast will the current grow.
3. i=i
0
, when t= , where
R
i

= .
Theoretically current grows to maximum value after infinite time. But practically it
grows to maximum after 5.
Decay of current:
4. When switch S is open at t=0; Ri
dt
di
L =
at t=0, i=i
0

at time t,

=
t
0
e i i
The current reduces to 37% of the initial value in one time
constant i.e., 63% of the decay is complete.
5. Energy stored in inductor E=
2
Li
2
1
.

Charging of a capacitor :
When a capacitor is connected to a battery, positive charge
appears on one plate and negative charge on the other. The
potential difference between the plates ultimately becomes
equal to e.m.f of the battery. The whole process takes some
time and during this time there is an electric current

6. through connecting wires and the battery.
7. Using Kirchoffs loop law 0 Ri
C
q
= + .
8. At any time t,

=

RC
t
e 1 C q = Q

CR
t
e 1
V = E

CR
t
e 1 ; i = i
0

CR
t
e

.
time
decay of current
i
t
0.37
R

time
growth of current
0.63
R

t
i
E
R
b
S
a



i
L
time
growth of charge
0.63 c
t
E
R b
S
a i
C
i = 0
+
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9. The constant RC has dimensions of time and is called capacitive time constant ( ).
10. In one time constant ( =RC), the charge accumulated on the
capacitor is q=0.63 C .
Discharging of a capacitor :
11. When the plates of a charged capacitor are connected through
a conducting wire, the capacitor gets discharged, again there is
a flow of charge through the wires and hence there is a current
12. 0 Ri
C
q
=
13.
RC
t
Qe q

= , where C Q =
V = E
CR
t
e

; ; i = i
0

CR
t
e

.
14. At t=RC, q=0.37Q, i.e., 63% of the discharging is complete in one
time constant.


LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Describe the growth and decay of current in an inductance, resistance
circuit. How the growth and decay are affected with difference values of
inductance discuss?
Ans. Growth of Current : L.R. circuit is as shown in the figure. When the key S is
thrown over to a, the current begins to flow and a magnetic flux is linked with
the coil.The value of current increases from zero to maximum but not suddenly
because the induced emf across the inductor opposes the growth of current.
Let i be the instantaneous current and
di
dt
be the rate of rise of current.

.
di
E L iR
dt
=
But
0
E i R =
0
.
di
i R L iR
dt
=
0
.
di
i R iR L
dt
=
( )
0
.
di
i i R L
dt
=
( )
0
di R
dt
i i L
=

On integrating,
( )
0
di R
dt
i i L
=

( )
0
log
e
R
i i t A
L
= +
Where A is the integration constant.
time
decay of charge
q
0.37c
t
i
t
i0
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If t = 0, i = 0 , then
0
log
e
A i =
( )
0 0
log log
e e
R
i i t i
L
= +
( )
0 0
log log
e e
R
i i i t
L
=
0
0
log
e
i i R
t
i L

=




0
0
R
t
L
i i
e
i

=

0
1
R
t
L
i
e
i

=

0
1
R
t
L
i
e
i

=



0
1
R
t
L
i i e

=



The factor
L
R
has the dimensions of time and it is called inductive time
constant.
If
L
t
R
=
( )
1
0
1 i i e

=
0
0.632 i i =
The time taken for the L R circuit to grow its current value from zero to
63% of its maximum value is called capacitive time constant.The
instantaneous value of current rises exponentially.
Also,
0
1
R
t
L
i i e

=


0
R
t
L
i i e

=
0 0
R
t
L
i e i i

=
The rate of growth of current is given by,
0
1
R
t
L
di d
i e
dt dt
|
=
|

\ . ]

0
R
t
L
di R
i e
dt L
(
|
=
(
\ .


0
.
R
t
L
di R
i e
dt L

=
( )
0
di R
i i
dt L
=
As
R
L
is greater or
L
R
is smaller, rate of growth of current is greater. Hence for a
smaller inductive time constant, the current attains its maximum steady value
more rapidly.
Decay of current: When the key S is thrown over to a, the current in the circuit
suddenly does not become zero, but it gradually decreases.
Let i be the instantaneous current and
di
dt
be the rate of
decay of current.

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.
di
L iR
dt
=
di R
dt
i L
=
On integrating,
di R
dt
L L
=


log
e
R
i t B
L
= +
Where B is the integration constant
If t = 0, i = i
0
,then
0
log
e
i B =
0
log . log
e e
R
i t i
L
= +
0
log log
e e
R
i i t
L
=
0
log .
e
i R
t
i L

=



0
R
t
L
i
e
i

=
0
R
t
L
i i e

=
The factor
L
R
has the dimensions of time and it is called inductive time constant.
If ,
L
t
R
= Then
1
0
i i e

=
0
0.37 i i =
The time taken for the current value to decay from maximum value to 37%
of its maximum value is called inductive time constant.
The rate of decay of current is,
0
R
t
L
di R
i e
dt L

=



di R
i
dt L
=
Hence for a smaller inductive time constant, the current decays more rapidly.

2. Describe the growth and decay of current in resistance, capacitance circuit?
Define time constant.
Ans. C R circuit :Consider a circuit of a capacitance C and a resistance R are
connected in series to a cell of emf E and a two way plug key S .
Growth of charge : When the key S is thrown over to a , the capacitor begins
to collects the charge. After some instant of time, the charge accumulated on the
capacitor opposes the further growth of charge i.e. an emf is induced in the
capacitor called induced emf (or) back emf. Then the net emf of the circuit is
equivalent to p.d. across R.

Let q be the charge on the capacitor and i be the current flowing in the circuit
after a time t. If q
0
is the maximum charge of the capacitor, then
q
0
= CE

q
E iR
C
= and
dq
i
dt
=

0
q q
iR
C C
=
[ ]
0
1
. .
dq
q q R
C dt
=
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0
dt dq
CR q q
=

0
dt dq
CR q q
=

( )
0
log
e
t
q q
CR
=
( )
0
log
e
t
A q q
CR
+ =
Where A is the integration constant. When t = 0, q = 0 , then
0
log
e
A q =
( )
0 0
lo g lo g
e e
t
q q q
C R
+ =
0
0
log
e
q q t
CR q

=



0
0
t
CR
q q
e
q

=

0
1
t
CR
q
e
q

=

0
1
t
CR
q
e
q

=
0
1
t
CR
q q e

=



The factor RC has the dimensions of time and it is called capacitive time
constant.
If t CR = , then
( )
1
0
1 q q e

= or
0
0.63 q q =
The growth of charge across the capacitance is also exponential and is as shown
in the figure.
The time taken for the C R circuit to grow its charge value from zero to 63% of
its maximum value is called capacitive time constant.
Rate of growth of charge across the capacitor.

0
1
t
CR
q q e

=



0 0
t
CR
q q q

=

0 0
t
CR
q e q q

=

0
1
t
CR
dq d
i q e
dt dt
( |
= =
( |
(
\ .


0
1
t t
CR CR
dq CE
q e e
dt CR CR

= =
Or i = i
0

t
CR
e

And ( )
0
1 dq
q q
dt CR
=
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Hence the charge on the capacitor increases and current in the circuit decreases
with time exponentially.
Decay of Charge :
Let the capacitor is charged to a value q
0
and the key S is thrown over to b,
to allow the capacitor to discharge through the resistance R.
Let q be the charge on the capacitor and i be the current flowing in the circuit
after a time t during the discharge.

q
E iR
C
= .
q dq
R
C dt
=

dq dt
q RC
=
1 dq
dt
q RC
=


log
e
t
q A
RC
= +
Where A is the integration constant. When

0
0, t q q = =

0
log
e
A q =
0
log log
e e
t
q q
RC
= +
0
log
e
q t
q RC

=



Or
0
t
RC
q
e
q

=
0
t
RC
q q e

=



Hence the charge on the capacitor decreases with time exponentially.


t = RC

( )
1
0
q q e

=
0
0.367 q q =
The time taken for the C R circuit to decay its charge
value from zero to 37% of its maximum value is called
capacitive time constant
Also,
0
t
RC
q q e

=




0
t
RC
dq d
i q e
dt dt
|
= =
|

\ . ]

0
1
t
RC
e q
RC

=

1 dq
i q
dt RC
= =
Also,
0
t t
RC RC
q CE
i e e
RC RC

== =
0
t
RC
i i e

=
SOLVED PROBLEMS
1. A coil has a time constant of 1s and an inductance of 8 H. If the coil is
connected to a 100 V d.c. source, determine (i) the resistance of the inductor,
(ii) steady value of the current and (iii) the time taken by the current to reach
60% of the steady value of the current.
Sol: i)
8
; 8
1
L L
R
R

= = = =
ii)
0
/ 100 / 8 12.5 I e R A = = =
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iii)
0 0
60
0.6 , 1
100
i I I s = = = .

( )
/
0
1
t
i I e

=
( )
/1
0 0
0.6 1
t
I I e

=
1
2.5
0.4
t
e = =

10
log 2.5 2.303log 2.5 2.303 .3979 0.9164
e
t s = = = = .
2. A constant voltage is applied to a series L-R circuit at t = 0 by closing a
switch. The voltage across L is 25 V at t = 0 and drops to 5 V at t = 0.025 s. If
L=2 H, what must be the value of R?
Sol: At t = 0, I = 0 Hence the voltage across L at t = 0 is 25 e V = .
At t = 0.25 s, voltage across L is 5 V.
Hence voltage across R = applied emf voltage across L = 25 5 = 20 V

0
25 Voltage across R 20
;
E
I i
R R R R
= = = = .
But,
0
1
t
i I e


=



20 25
1
t
e
R R

=



10
log 5 2.303 log 5
e
t

= =
Or 2.303 0.6990
tR
L
=

2.303 0.6990
128.6
0.025
R

= =
3. A capacitor of 100 F capacitance is connected in series with a resistance of
8000. (i) Estimate the time constant of the circuit (ii) If the combination is
suddenly connected to a 100 V direct current supply, find the initial rate of
rise of potential across the capacitor.
Sol: (i)
6
100 10 8000 0.8s CR

= = =
(ii) At t = 0, potential difference across capacitor is zero i.e., putting V = 0 in
e V iR = =

dq dV
e iR R RC
dt dt
= = = .

0
100
125 /
0.8
t
dV e
V S
dt RC
=

= = =


.
4. Capacitor of 0.1 F is charged from a 100 V battery through a series
esistance of 1000. Find i) the time for the capacitor to receive 63.2% of its
final charge, (ii) the charge received in this time, (iii) the initial rate of
charging and (iv) the rate of charging when the charge is 63.2% of the final
charge.
Sol: i) 63.2% of charge is received in a time equal to the time constant of the circuit.

6 4
0.1 10 1000 1 10 CR s

= = =
ii)
0
0.1 1000 10 q CV C = = =
Charge received during one time constant =
0
0.632 0.632 10 6.32 q C = =
iii) The rate of charging at any time t is
dV e V
dt CR

=
( )
dq d dV
e V iR R R CV RC
dt dt dt

= = =


.
Initially, V = 0
Hence,
6
6 3
100
10 /
0.1 10 10
dV e
V s
dt CR

= = =


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iv)
0
/ 0.632 ; 0.632 100 63.2 V q c q V V = = = =

4
100 63.2
368 /
10
dV e V
KV S
dt CR


= = = .
UNSOLVED PROBLEMS
1. A coil with self inductance of 2.4H and resistance 12 is suddenly switched
across a 120V direct current supply of negligible internal resistance.
Determine (i) the time constant of the coil (ii) the instantaneous value of the
current after 0.1s (iii) the final steady current and (iv) the time taken for the
current to reach 5A.
Sol: L = 2.4H ; 12 R =
emf of D.C. supply = 120V
i) Time constant
2.4
0.2sec
12
L
R
= = = =
ii)
( )
0
1
R
t
L
I I e

=


(0.1) /(0.2)
1
E
e
R

=

3.94A =
iii) Final steady current =
0
120
10
12
E
I A
R
= = =
iv) If
1
t is the time taken for current to reach 5A, then I = 5A

0
0
10
2
I
I A I = =
0
1
R
t
L
I I e

=





1
/ 0.2 0
0
1
2
l
t
I
I e

=


1
/ 0.2
1
1
2
t
e

=



1 1
5 5
1 1
1 2
2 2
t t
e e

= = =

2
2
1 1
log 0.693
log 5
5 5
e
e
t t = = = = 0.139 sec (nearly)
2. A 200v direct current supply is suddenly switched to a coil which has a time
constant of 1 milli second. If the current in the coil reaches 0.2A after 3
millisecond, determine the final steady value of the current, the resistance
and the inductance of the coil.
Sol:
0
200 E V = ; 1 sec milli =
3
3 10 sec

=
1)
0
? i =
But
0
1
t
i i e

=


3
3
3 10
1 10
0
0.2 1 i e

=


0 3
0.2
1
i
e

0
0.2
1 0.05
i =

0
0.21 i amp =
But
0
200
952.38
0.21
E
R
i
= = =

3
952.38 1 10 0.952 L R H

= = =
2. An 8 F Capacitor is being charged by a 400V supply through 0.1 mega
ohm resistor. How long will it take the capacitor to develop a potential
difference of 300V?
Sol:
6
8 8 10 C F F

= = ; R =
6
0.1 0.1 10 M=
5
10 =
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5 6
10 8 10 0.8sec RC

= = =

/
0
1
t RC
q q e

=


/ 0.8
0
1
t
CV CV e

=


/ 0.8
300 400 1
t
e

=



/ 0.8
0.75 1
t
e

=
1.11sec t =
3. A resistance R and a 4 F capacitor are connected in series across a 220v
direct current supply. Across the capacitor a neon lamp that glows at 120V is
connected. Calculated the value of R to make the lamp glow 5 seconds after
the switch has been closed.
Sol:
0
1
t
RC
q q e

=




( )
6
4 10 (120)
applied
q CV

= =

( )
6
0(max) max
4 10 (200) q CV

= =
t = 5 sec

( ) ( )
5
6 6
4 10 (120) 4 10 (200) 1
RC
e


=




5 5
120 3
1 1 0.4
200 5
RC RC
e e = = =

6
5 5
0.915 4 10 0.915
R
C

= =


6
1.366 10 = 1.366 M =
ASSESS YOURSELF
1. What are the dimensions of R/L?
Ans.
1
[ ] T

2. What are the dimensions of RC?
Ans. [T]
3. The current which varies for a small finite time, while growing to maximum
or decaying to zero value is called transient current. Where do you find such
currents?
Ans. In the charging and discharging of a capacitor through a resistor and in the growth
and decay of current through an inductor and resistor in series.
4. A constant voltage of 25V is applied to a series L-R circuit at t = 0 by closing
a switch. What is the potential difference across (i) the resistor and (ii) the
inductor at t = 0?
Ans. 0; 25V
5. A constant voltage of 50V is applied to a series L-R circuit at t = 0 by closing
a switch. What is the potential difference across (i) the resistor and ii) the
inductor at t = ?
Ans. 50V, 0
6. When a capacitor is charged through a resistor, the charge on the capacitor
at any time t is
/
0
(1 )
t
q q e

= where CR = . What is the expression for the
potential difference across the capacitor at that instant of tiem?

Sol:
/
0
(1 )
t
q q e

=

/ 0
(1 )
t
q q
e
c c

=

/
0
(1 )
t
V V e

=
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7. A constant voltage of 100V is applied a series C-R circuit at t = 0 by closing a
key. What is the potential difference across (i) the resistor and (ii) the
capacitor at t = 0, .
Ans. At t = 0; 100V; 0 ; at t = ; 9, 100V