Circuit Theory
Tutorial 3
1. If iC = 25e-40t A, what is the time constant and how long will the transient last?
2. The switch of Fig Q2 is closed at t = 0 s. The capacitor is initially uncharged.
Fig Q2
(a) Determine the equation for charging voltage vC.
(b) Determine the equation for charging current iC.
(c) By direct substitution, computer vC and iC at t = 0+ s, 40 s, 80 s, 120 s, 160 s and
200 s.
(d) Plot vC and iC on graph paper using the results of (c).
3. Repeat Q2 with R = 500 , C = 25 F and E = 45 V, except compute and plot values at
t = 0+ s, 20 ms, 40 ms, 60, ms, 80 ms and 100 ms.
4. For the RC circuit shown in Fig Q2, if the capacitor has a initial voltage V0 10 V,
(a) Determine the expression for charging voltage vC.
(b) Determine the expression for charging current iC.
(c) Sketch vC and iC.
5. For the circuit of Fig Q5, assume the capacitor is charged to 50 V before the switch is
closed.
(a) Determine the equation for discharge voltage vC.
(b) Determine the equation for discharge current iC.
(c) Determine the time constant of the circuit.
(d) Compute vC and iC at t = , 2, 3, 4 and 5.
(e) Plot the results of (d) with the time axis scaled
In seconds and time constant. iC
R=25k C=20F vC
Fig Q5
Last update : 2026/7/16 1
6. A 4.7 F capacitor is charged to 43 V. If a 39 k resistor is then connected across the
capacitor, what is its voltage 200 ms after the resistor is connected?
7. In the following circuit, E = 200 V, R2 = 1 k, and C = 0.5 F. After the capacitor has fully
charged in position 1, the switch is moved to position 2.
(a) What is the capacitor voltage immediately after the switch is moved to position 2?
What is its current?
(b) What is the discharge time constant?
(c) Determine the discharge equations for vC and iC.
8. In the circuit of Q7, C is fully charged before the switch is moved to discharge. Current just
after it is moved is iC = -4 mA and C takes 20 ms to discharge. If E = 80 V, what are R2 and
C?
9. The switch of the following circuit is closed at t = 0 s.
(a) What is the time constant of the circuit?
(b) How long is it until current reaches its steady value?
(c) Determine the equations for iL and vL.
(d) Compute values for iL and vL at intervals of one time constant from t = 0 to 5 .
(e) Sketch iL and vL. Label the axis in and in seconds
10. For an RL circuit, iL = 20 (1-e-t/) mA and vL = 40 e-t/ V. If the transient lasts 0.625 ms,
what are E, R, and L?
Last update : 2026/7/16 2
11. For the following ciruict, E = 80 V, R1 = 200 , R2 = 300 , and L = 0.5 H.
(a) When the switch is closed, how long does it take for iL to reach steady state?
(b) When the switch is opened, how long does it take for iL to reach steady state?
(c) After the circuit has reached steady state with the switch closed, it is opened.
Determine equations for iL and vL.
12. For the circuit in Q11, when the switch is moved to energization, iL = 2(1-e-10t). Now open
the switch and redefine t = 0 s as the instant the switch is opened. For this case, vL =
-400e-25t. Determine E, R1, R2, and L.
13. An unknown circuit containing dc sources and resistors has an open-circuit voltage of 45
volts. When its output terminals are shorted, the short-circuit current is 0.15 A. A switch,
resistor, and inductance are connected in the following circuit. Determine the inductor
current and voltage 2.5 ms after the switch is closed.
Last update : 2026/7/16 3