A capacitor discharges through a resistor so that its voltage follows

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Scientific Practice & Experimental Methods · Computational Physics · Scientific programming for physicists

Computational Physics, Ch Seeing the answer: plots that can be trusted

Problem

V(t) = V_0 e^{-t/RC}

, with

R = 2.0\times10^3\,\Omega

and

C = 470\,\mu\mathrm{F}

. A record of

V

against

t

is to be plotted for

t

between

0

and

5\,\mathrm s

. ((a)) State which of linear axes, semi-logarithmic axes (

\log_{10}V

against linear

t

) or log-log axes will show this record as a straight line, and justify the choice from the functional form. ((b)) Predict the slope of that straight line, in units consistent with the axes chosen.

Browse the problem library