Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Electric Current in Conductors
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Electric Current in Conductors
The switch S illustrated in the figure is kept closed for a long...
The switch illustrated in the figure is kept closed for a long duration and is subsequently opened at . Determine the current in the middle resistor at .

Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
C.
Step-by-step solution
When the switch is closed for a long time, the circuit reaches a steady state. In this state, the capacitor acts as an open circuit and no current flows through its branch.
The steady current flows through the outer loop containing the battery and the two resistors in series:
The potential difference across the middle resistor is:
Since the capacitor is in parallel with this resistor, the initial voltage across the capacitor is .
When the switch is opened at , the battery and the bottom resistor are disconnected. The capacitor now discharges through the middle resistor.
The time constant of this discharging circuit is:
The current in the discharging circuit at time is given by:
Substituting :
Using the value :
The steady current flows through the outer loop containing the battery and the two resistors in series:
The potential difference across the middle resistor is:
Since the capacitor is in parallel with this resistor, the initial voltage across the capacitor is .
When the switch is opened at , the battery and the bottom resistor are disconnected. The capacitor now discharges through the middle resistor.
The time constant of this discharging circuit is:
The current in the discharging circuit at time is given by:
Substituting :
Using the value :