Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 31 - Fundamentals of Circuits - Exercises and Problems - Page 919: 74

Answer

${\bf 0.69}\;\rm ms$

Work Step by Step

First of all, we need to find the time constant of this circuit which is given by $$\tau=R_{eq}C_{eq}$$ So we had to reduce this circuit, as shown below, to one equivalent capacitor with one equivalent resistor. Plug the known, $$\tau=R_{eq}C_{eq}=(50\mu)(20)=\bf1.0\;\rm ms$$ As we see in the circuits below, the current $I$ that passes through the $8\;\Omega$ resistor is the full current from the equivalent capacitors which is the same current that passes through the equivalent resistor of $20\;\Omega$. So, the discharge of the equivalent capacitor $$I=I_0e^{-t/\tau}$$ when $I=0.5I_0$; $$\frac{1}{2} \color{red}{\bf\not} I_0= \color{red}{\bf\not} I_0e^{-t/\tau}$$ Thus, $$\dfrac{-t}{\tau}=\ln\left[ \frac{1}{2} \right]$$ $$t=-\tau\ln\left[ \frac{1}{2} \right]$$ Plug the known; $$t=-(1\;\rm m)\ln\left[ \frac{1}{2} \right]$$ $$t=\color{red}{\bf 0.69}\;\rm ms$$
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