RC circuit

Q: Derive the expression of voltage across the capacitor for a series RC circuit during
charging cycle.
Ans: A series RC circuit is a series combination of a resistor and a capacitor. Let us consider
the following series RC circuit.

Fig. (1): A series RC circuit

Now applying KVL,

[Ohms law, V = IR]

(

[Here + sign indicates that capacitor is charging]

(

Where
At time

is a constant.
,

. So that from equation (1),

(
( )

(1)

Putting the value of

in to equation (1),
(

( )
( )

(
( )

)
(

This is the required expression.

Q: For a series RC circuit the voltage across the capacitor is given by, ( )
(
).
Now (i) solve this equation (ii) derive the expression of time constant and (iii) draw the
charging cyale.
Ans: Given,

( )

Case (1):
At time,
( )

(
= (
(

)
)
)

Case (2):
At time,
(

(
(
(
Case (3):

)
)
)

At time,
( )

(
(

)
)

Here,
is called time constant. It is denoted by . It is defined as the time required to
increase the voltage in the capacitor to 63% of the battery voltage.
So that the exoression of time constant is,

The plot of above three cases is shown below.

Fig. (1a): Charging cycle of series RC circuit

Q: What is time constant?
Ans: The time at which the capacitor voltage rises to the 63% of final voltage is called time
constant. It is denoted by . For RC circuit it is given by,

Math: An series RC circuit consist of

constant.

and

. Calculate the value of time

We know,

R = 10
= 10
=

sec

Q: Derive the expression of voltage across the capacitor for a series RC circuit during
discharging cycle.
Ans: Let us consider the following series RC circuit.

Fig. (2a): A series RC circuit

Now applying KVL,

[V = iR]
(

[Here minus sign indicates that capacitor is discharging]

Where
At time

(1)

is a constant.
,

. So that from equation (1),

( )
( )

Putting the value of

in to equation (1),
(

( )
( )

( )
( )

( )

This is the required expression.

Q: For a series RC circuit the voltage across the capacitor is given by, ( )
(
).
Now (i) solve this equation (ii) derive the expression of time constant and (iii) draw the
discharging cycle.
Ans: Given,

( )

Case (1):
At time,
( )

(
)
= (
( )

Case (2):
At time,
(

(
(

)
)

( )
(
(
Case (3):

)
)

At time,
( )

(
(

)
)

( )
( )

Here,
is called time constant. It is denoted by . It is defined as the time at which 63% of
the initial capacitor voltage is discharged.
So that the exoression of time constant is,

The plot of above three cases is shown below.

Fig. (2b): Discharging cycle of series RC circuit

Q: What is time constant?

Ans: The time at which 63% of the initial capacitor voltage is discharged is called time
constant. It is denoted by . For RC circuit it is given by,

Math: An series RC circuit consist of

constant.
We know,

and

. Calculate the value of time

=
=

R=1K
=
sec
=

Q: Draw the charging and discharging cycle for series RC circuit.

Ans: