Consider circuit the switch is initially in position A for a sufficien...
Initial Conditions of the Circuit
Before \( t = 0 \), the switch is in position A for a long time, allowing the circuit to reach a steady state. In this state, the capacitor \( 2C \) did not hold any charge.
Why the Capacitor is Uncharged
- The capacitor \( 2C \) is initially uncharged because it was not connected to a voltage source.
- The steady state implies that all currents in the circuit have settled, and there is no net voltage across the capacitor.
Switching to Position B
At \( t = 0 \), the switch moves to position B, causing significant changes in the circuit:
- The capacitor \( 2C \) will now be connected to a different part of the circuit, possibly involving a voltage source.
- It will begin to charge based on the new circuit configuration.
Charging Behavior of Capacitor
- The charging process follows the equation \( V(t) = V_0(1 - e^{-t/RC}) \), where \( V_0 \) is the final voltage across the capacitor.
- The time constant \( \tau = RC \) determines how quickly the capacitor charges, where \( R \) is the resistance in the circuit.
Conclusion
- The capacitor \( 2C \) starts charging from zero volts at \( t = 0 \) and will gradually approach the voltage of the circuit it is now connected to.
- This behavior is fundamental in understanding how capacitors react when circuit configurations change.
This explanation outlines the behavior of the circuit components before and after the switch is toggled, emphasizing the transition of the capacitor from an uncharged state to one where it begins to accumulate charge.