Learning Goal: To understand the time-dependent behavior of the current in circu

Question

Learning Goal: To understand the time-dependent behavior of the current in circuits containing batteries, capacitors, and resistors. For this tutorial, use the PhET simulation Circuit Construction Kit (AC+DC). This simulation allows you to build circuits using wire, resistors, batteries, and other circuit components. The voltage across any two locations on the circuit can be measured using a voltmeter, and the current can be measured using an ammeter. http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1235722/17/1235722_Intro.jpg Start the simulation. When you click the simulation link, you may be asked whether to run, open, or save the file. Choose to run or open it. You should see a variety of circuit components (named and pictured) near the right edge of the blue panel. You can click and drag any of these components into the blue panel and construct a circuit. The components can be connected to each other by overlapping the red circles (the junction becomes a brown circle). Each component can be rotated by dragging it by the red circle, and the wire can also be lengthened or shortened this way. To disconnect two components, right-click (for PCs) or control-click (for Macs) on the brown circle of the junction and select Split Junction in the small menu that appears. To change the resistance of a resistor, the capacitance of a capacitor, or the emf of the battery, right-click or control-click the component, select the appropriate choice in the pop-up menu, and make the adjustment using the pop-up adjustment panel. Two tools you will use often in this tutorial are the Voltage Chart and the Current Chart tools. For the Current Chart, you simply place the transparent cross-hairs over the wire in the circuit and the chart will begin showing the current as a function of time. The Voltage Chart acts in a similar way to the voltmeter, giving you the voltage difference between the red and black leads as a function of time. Feel free to play around with the simulation. When you are done, click Reset All before beginning Part A. Part A Construct a circuit containing a battery, a resistor, a switch, and a capacitor (all in series), as shown in the figure. Be sure the switch is open (which stops current through the switch) before you connect up the entire circuit. Now, close the switch and monitor the resulting current through the circuit. After the switch is closed, Construct a circuit containing a battery, a resistor, a switch, and a capacitor (all in series), as shown in the figure. Be sure the switch is open (which stops current through the switch) before you connect up the entire circuit. http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1235722/17/1235722_part-A.jpg Now, close the switch and monitor the resulting current through the circuit. After the switch is closed, there is initially a current, but it decreases with time and eventually stops. the current remains zero. the current does not change in time.

Explanation / Answer

A. there is initially a current, but it decreases with time and eventually stops.

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