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(8c27p66) The figure shows the circuit of a flashing lamp, like those attached t

ID: 2142781 • Letter: #

Question

(8c27p66) The figure shows the circuit of a flashing lamp, like those attached to barrels at highway construction sites. The fluorescent lamp L (of negligible capacitance) is connected in parallel across the capacitor C of a RC circuit. There is a current through the lamp only when the potential difference across it reaches the breakdown voltage VL ; in this event, the capacitor discharges completely through the lamp and the lamp flashes briefly. Suppose that two flashes per second are needed. For a lamp with breakdown voltage VL = 65.0 V, a 95.0 V ideal battery, and a 0.220 ?F capacitor, what should be the resistance R of the resistor?



The figure shows the circuit of a flashing lamp, like those attached to barrels at highway construction sites. The fluorescent lamp L (of negligible capacitance) is connected in parallel across the capacitor C of a RC circuit. There is a current through the lamp only when the potential difference across it reaches the breakdown voltage VL ; in this event, the capacitor discharges completely through the lamp and the lamp flashes briefly. Suppose that two flashes per second are needed. For a lamp with breakdown voltage VL = 65.0 V, a 95.0 V ideal battery, and a 0.220 ?F capacitor, what should be the resistance R of the resistor?

Explanation / Answer

Voltage across the capacitor is given by V=Vb(1-exp(-t/RC))