when SW2 is closed (conducting) and SW1 is open (not conducting) the circuit is said to be discharging

ItzKitkat, you may want to read this part of your post again and then compare it to the circuit that you drew.

 

ItzKitkat, you may want to read this part of your post again and then compare it to the circuit that you drew.

The one I drew with both of the circuits is wrong I know that. I know one of the circuits has to be open.

I have no idea how to solve this. I cant think of anything.

I have one more question what does time constant mean?
I remember that word from the quiz I did today. (failed miserably)

 

The one I drew with both of the circuits is wrong I know that. I know one of the circuits has to be open.

I have no idea how to solve this. I cant think of anything.

I have one more question what does time constant mean?
I remember that word from the quiz I did today. (failed miserably)

Draw the circuit according to the configuration described for discharging the capacitor, namely "SW2 is closed (conducting) and SW1 is open (not conducting)".

You truly have dug yourself such a deep hole that about the only way to get out of it is to retake, at the very least, the course you are presently in and, next time, really work at it to learn all of the concepts and how to apply the concepts. Don't just try to memorize which formulas to use on the next quiz or test. Actually READ the text! And make sure that YOU can derive every equation and follow every step that is presented, both in the reading and in the examples.

The fact that you are trying to find time constants when you have no idea what they mean beyond remember that the word was on a quiz you just failed is further proof that you are just too far behind and have taken the wrong approach for just too long. That you are asking here instead of hitting your books to find the answer to questions like that is just further evidence.

 

You can find more information about time constants here: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_16/2.html.

However, as stated by WBahn, if you do not understand the material covered in the chapters before this one, then this information will not be all that helpful.

 

Draw the circuit according to the configuration described for discharging the capacitor, namely "SW2 is closed (conducting) and SW1 is open (not conducting)".

How can it conduct if there is no voltage going through?

 

How can it conduct if there is no voltage going through?

"Because capacitors store energy in the form of an electric field, they tend to act like small secondary-cell batteries, being able to store and release electrical energy."

Literally, the very first sentence of the link I attached.

 

@WBahn, I had to find V @ 0 seconds so t = 0

I have a similar question that I am stuck on. Can someone help me with this?

DC = 10 V
R1 = 2.4 Kilo Ohms
R2 = 1.0 Kilo Ohms
C = 100 uF

In the book it says SW1 is closed (conducting) and SW2 is open (not conducting).

I want to find the RC time constant, during discharge mode and charge, what is the RC time constant in seconds?

Here is what the book says

This circuit has two modes of operation; when SW1 is closed (conducting) and SW2 is open (not conducting) the circuit is said to be charging, when SW2 is closed (conducting) and SW1 is open (not conducting) the circuit is said to be discharging.

Time constant during charge:

2400 ohms * 100 uf = 0.24 s

Time constant during discharge

1000 ohms * 100 uf = 0.1 s

It was really easy. I wasn't paying attention when the circuit is charging and when the circuit is discharging.