The current I(t) through any component in an electric circuit is defined as the rate of flow of a charge Q(t) passing through it, but actual charges—electrons—cannot pass through the dielectric layer of a capacitor. Rather, one electron accumulates on the negative plate for each one that leaves the positive plate, resulting in an electron depletion and consequent positive charge on one electrode that is equal and opposite to the accumulated negative charge on the other. Thus the charge on the electrodes is equal to the integral of the current as well as proportional to the voltage, as discussed above. As with any antiderivative, a constant of integration is added to represent the initial voltage V(t0). This is the integral form of the capacitor equation: COUNT 5
QSN1 What is the definition of the current I(t) through any component in an electric circuit? ANS1 the rate of flow of a charge Q(t) passing through it QSN2 For each electron that departs the positive plate, how many electrons build up on the negative plate? ANS2 one electron accumulates on the negative plate QSN3 To what is the charge on the electrodes of a capacitor equal to? ANS3 the integral of the current QSN4 To what is the charge on the electrodes of a capacitor proportional to? ANS4 proportional to the voltage QSN5 When calculating the integral to determine the charge on the electrodes of a capacitor, what does the constant of integration that must be added represent? ANS5 the initial voltage V(t0)