Understanding the Relationship between Capacitors and Inductors

[bjnartowt]

Homework Statement

Contrast capacitors and inductors.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I THINK it can be said: capacitors act as a slowing device, or "inertia" to changes in voltage since they store energy in an electric field. Conversely, inductors act as a slowing device, or "inertia" to changes in current since they store energy in a magnetic field.

Could it be said, then, that for unit resistance, so V = IR = I*1 (specially-designed system of units), that V = I, and inductors and capacitors "do the same thing", since voltage "inertia" actually "becomes" current inertia? And, for R --> infinity, do the effects of inductors go away, and the effects of capacitors become maximized? And for R --> 0, do the effects of capacitors go away, and the effects of inductors become maximized?

 

[anathema]

You are correct in your understanding that capacitors and inductors act as "slowing devices" or "inertia" to changes in voltage and current, respectively. This is due to the fact that they store energy in different forms - capacitors store energy in an electric field, while inductors store energy in a magnetic field.

For a unit resistance, V = IR = I*1 (specially-designed system of units), it can be said that V = I, as you have correctly stated. In this sense, both capacitors and inductors "do the same thing" as they both contribute to the overall voltage in the circuit.

However, it is important to note that the effects of inductors and capacitors do not cancel each other out. In fact, they work together to regulate the flow of current in a circuit. In a circuit with a high resistance (R --> infinity), the effects of inductors become more dominant, while in a circuit with a low resistance (R --> 0), the effects of capacitors become more dominant. This is because in a high resistance circuit, the flow of current is limited, allowing inductors to store more energy in the magnetic field. In a low resistance circuit, the flow of current is high, causing capacitors to store more energy in the electric field.

I hope this helps to clarify the differences and similarities between capacitors and inductors. Keep up the good work in your studies!