Total Charge from integration

Thread Starter

Tera-Scale

Joined Jan 1, 2011
164
I have an equation for the instantaneous current, and i want to find the total charge present in a capacitor after the first 7 seconds. And Q=It. Do I have to find the definite integral of the instantaneous current and multiply it with the time (7sec)? (Attached)
 

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Georacer

Joined Nov 25, 2009
5,182
If you have an RC circuit in your hands, no. Unless if the exercise asks you do do it that way.

Of course you can integrate the current and get to the charge, but to get the percentage you need to know the total achievable charge too. Do you have any info on the total charge or the voltage applied on the capacitor and its capacity?

Also, you got something wrong. The initial equation is \(dQ=i \cdot dt\). If the current is constant that turns into the formula you know, \(Q=i \cdot t\). But for variable current you have \(Q=\int i \cdot dt +Q_0\), so your equation is wrong.

Anyway, posting the original question will help alot.
 

Thread Starter

Tera-Scale

Joined Jan 1, 2011
164
I dont have any information about the voltage applied, max capacity etc accept the instantaneous current equation attached and the time. (0-7sec). Yes the current is varying according to the graph. I try it that way thanks.
 

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Georacer

Joined Nov 25, 2009
5,182
Oh, my bad. I read "present" as "percent" in the first line and thought what would the total current be.
So just go ahead and calculate the charge through integration.
 
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