Half life for capacitor’s charge/discharge

The time taken for the value of current (charge or voltage) to drop down to 50% of the initial value is given by
t 1 = RC ln 2.

The derivation is shown below:

t
I = I0e − RC
Taking ln on both sides,

I0 1 1
t2
− RC
When I = , t = t 1
ln = ln e

2 2
2

t 12
I0 1
t2
− RC ln 1 − ln 2 = −

= I0e
RC
2 t 12
−ln 2 = −
1 1
t2
RC
− RC
=e

2


Total time for charge/discharge

As seen in the graph, the time taken for a capacitor to charge

up or discharge completely is about 5 RC.

Proving homogeneity Tolerance

In calculations, tolerance should always be

τ = RC
 linked with capacitance (and no other

quantities). Tolerance is generally expressed in

LHS unit = s

%. For example, if a 100 μF capacitor has a

V Q It tolerance of ± 20 % , the minimum capacitance

RHS = × = = t(s)
would be 80μF and the maximum capacitance
I V I

 would be 120μF.
Charging/discharging a capacitor through different resistors

Irrespective of the resistance,

the total charge remains the
same. The area under the I-t
graph gives the charge. Since
the charge remains the same,
all three graphs will have the
same area under them.

Energy stored in a capacitor

1 1
E= Fx
E= QV

2 2
F Q
Since F = k x OR x =
Since Q = CV OR V =

k C
1 2 1
E= kx
E= CV 2

2 2
1 F2 1 Q2
E= E=
2 K 2 C
Advanced graphical concepts

1) Finding total charge stored in a capacitor




























Generally, the I-t curve is an exponentially decreasing curve. The area under this graph has to be found
out by either using integration or an estimation method, neither of which are appropriate for our
specification. If we construct a circuit where the resistance of the resistor is gradually decreased so that
the current can be momentarily kept constant, the I-t graph would be a horizontal straight line. Now, the
area under the graph can be easily found out to find the total charge stored in the capacitor.


2) Plotting straight line graph using log or ln




t
− RC


I = I0 e



t
ln I

 ln I = ln I e − RC


 0
t

 ln I = ln I + ln e − RC


 0

 t

 ln I = ln I 0 −


 RC

( RC )

 1

 ln I = − t + ln I0









y = mx + c 








 1

 ´m = −

RC
1
RC = − [Negative of the inverse of the gradient gives the time constant]
m

Capacitors in series & parallel

When capacitor are connected in series or parallel, the total capacitance of the circuit is affected.









Deriving equations for total capacitance

IN SERIES IN PARALLEL

VT = V1 + V2

Q
Since Q = CV or V =
QT = Q1 + Q2

C
Q Q Q Since Q = CV

= +

CT C1 C2
CT V = C1V + C2V

1 1 1
∴ = +
CT = C1 + C2

CT C1 C2

Flipping switches

The diagram shows a circuit containing a flicking switch. The flicking

of the switch has a frequency of f. Therefore, the time for the switch
1
to flip once is .

f
The time it takes for the capacitor to completely charge up or
discharge is about 5 RC. For the circuit to work properly, the time of
charging or discharging must be smaller than the time taken for the
switch to flick.

Mathematical example linking flipping switches and tolerance







A student is investigating capacitors. She uses the
circuit beside to check the capacitance of a capacitor
labelled 2.2μF which has a tolerance of ± 30 % . The
switch flicks between contacts, X and Y, so that the
capacitors charges and discharges f times per second. 











(a) The capacitor must discharge fully through the 100 Ω resistor. 





 (i) Explain why 400 Hz is suitable for f





 1

 Time for flicking = = 2.5 × 10−3 s = 2.5 m s


 400




 Total time for discharge = 5 × 100 × 2.2 × 10−6 = 1.1 × 10−3 s = 1.1 m s





 The total time of discharge is much smaller than time for flicking.



I
(ii) Show that the capacitance C can be given by C = where I is the reading on the ammeter and V is
fV
the reading on the voltmeter. 







Q = CV
 (iii) The student records I as 5.4 m A and V as 5.0 V. Calculate

 
 the capacitance C.


 Q It
C= = 



V V 5.4 × 10−3

 C= 


 
 400 × 5

 1 1

 Since f = ,t= 



t f = 2.7 × 10−6 = 2.7μF


 I 1

 C = ×
(iv) Explain whether you think this value is consistent with the

 V f
tolerance given for the capacitor.


 I

 C =

 fV 2.2@70 % = 1.54μF





2.2@130 % = 2.86μF

(b) Calculate the energy stored on the capacitor when it is charged to a potential difference of 5.0 V.



1
E= × 2.7 × 10−6 × (5)2

2
= 3.4 × 10−5 J

Advanced concept associated with capacitor

When an uncharged capacitor is connected to an identical charged capacitor, the total charge remains the
same but redistributes until the potential difference between the capacitor is zero.