RC Circuit Differential Equation

In summary, the equation R dI/dt + I/C = -ωV0sinωt can be solved by assuming a general solution of the form Acosωt + Bsinωt. The result, I = Ae^{-\frac{t}{RC}} - \frac{V_0 \omega C (sin(\omega t) - \omega R C cos(\omega t))}{1 + \omega^2 R^2 C^2}, can be obtained by plugging in the assumed solution and correcting a minor error in the given equation.
  • #1
sritter27
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Homework Statement


Find the general solution of [tex]L \frac{d^2I}{dt^2} + R \frac{dI}{dt} + \frac{I}{C} = \frac{dV}{dt}[/tex] given [tex]L = 0[/tex] and [tex]V = V_0 cos(\omega t)[/tex].

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


So the equation basically turns into a first-order RC circuit equation [tex] R \frac{dI}{dt} + \frac{I}{C} = \frac{dV}{dt}[/tex], but I'm not sure how to approach it to find a general solution.

The answer the book gives is [tex] I = Ae^{-\frac{t}{RC}} - \frac{V_0 \omega C (sin(\omega t) - \omega R C cos(\omega t))}{1 + \omega^2 R^2 C^2}[/tex] and I'm not sure how they came to that conclusion, so any help or nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF!

sritter27 said:
[tex] R \frac{dI}{dt} + \frac{I}{C} = \frac{dV}{dt}[/tex], but I'm not sure how to approach it to find a general solution.

The answer the book gives is [tex] I = Ae^{-\frac{t}{RC}} - \frac{V_0 \omega C (sin(\omega t) - \omega R C cos(\omega t))}{1 + \omega^2 R^2 C^2}[/tex] and I'm not sure how they came to that conclusion, so any help or nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Hi sritter27! Welcome to PF! :smile:

To find the general solution of R dI/dt + I/C = -ωV0sinωt,

assume it's of the form Acosωt + Bsinωt, and you get the given result,

except that you've copied it wrong … it's [tex]V_0 \omega C\frac{ (sin(\omega t) - \omega R C cos(\omega t))}{1 + \omega^2 R^2 C^2}[/tex] :wink:
 
  • #3
Oh wow I should have been able to see that. My many thanks for the help!
 
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FAQ: RC Circuit Differential Equation

What is an RC circuit?

An RC circuit is an electrical circuit consisting of a resistor (R) and a capacitor (C) connected in series. It is commonly used in electronic devices to control the flow of current and store electrical energy.

What is a differential equation?

A differential equation is a mathematical equation that describes how a variable changes over time, based on its current value and the rate of change at that point. It is commonly used in physics and engineering to model dynamic systems.

How is a differential equation used to describe an RC circuit?

In an RC circuit, the differential equation describes the relationship between the voltage across the capacitor (Vc) and the current flowing through the circuit (I). The equation is typically written as dVc/dt = -Vc/RC, where R is the resistance and C is the capacitance of the circuit.

What is the role of the time constant in the RC circuit differential equation?

The time constant (RC) in the differential equation represents the amount of time it takes for the capacitor to charge or discharge to 63.2% of its maximum voltage. It is an important parameter in determining the behavior of an RC circuit.

Can the RC circuit differential equation be solved analytically?

Yes, the RC circuit differential equation can be solved analytically using mathematical techniques such as separation of variables or Laplace transforms. However, in some cases, it may be more practical to solve it numerically using computer simulations.

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