Subelement B: Electrical Math— Topic 15: RC Time Constants-2
Question 3-15B3
Element 3 (GROL)What is the time constant of a circuit having a 100-microfarad capacitor and a 470-kilohm resistor in series?
Explanation
The time constant (τ) of a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit, crucial for understanding filter and timing characteristics in radio electronics, is calculated by the product of the resistance (R) and the capacitance (C). The formula is τ = R × C.
For the given values:
R = 470 kilohms = 470,000 ohms
C = 100 microfarads = 0.0001 farads
Multiplying these values:
τ = 470,000 ohms × 0.0001 farads = 47 seconds.
It is essential to convert kilohms to ohms and microfarads to farads before calculation to ensure the result is correctly expressed in seconds. The other options are incorrect due to errors in magnitude or unit conversion during the calculation.
Related Questions
3-15B1 What is the time constant of a circuit having two 220-microfarad capacitors and two 1-megohm resistors all in parallel?3-15B2 What is the time constant of a circuit having two 100-microfarad capacitors and two 470-kilohm resistors all in series?3-15B4 What is the time constant of a circuit having a 220-microfarad capacitor and a 1-megohm resistor in parallel?3-15B5 What is the time constant of a circuit having two 100-microfarad capacitors and two 470-kilohm resistors all in parallel?3-15B6 What is the time constant of a circuit having two 220-microfarad capacitors and two 1-megohm resistors all in series?