Capacitors and Charge Flow

Capacitors and Charge Flow

Question 1

The bulbs A and B in figure 2 will light. The brightness of the bulbs will be low; this is due to the flow of current from the positive terminal to the capacitor before reaching the Bulbs. The capacitor stores some of the electrical energy and releases little Current to the bulbs and the negative terminal to complete the circuit. The capacitor reduces the amount of energy, which gives the bulb low brightness. The long line shows the positive terminal while the short line shows the negative terminal; the two parallel lines represent the capacitor. Current flows from the positive terminal to the capacitor, to the bulbs, and the negative terminal.

Question 2

            The process of charging the capacitor will involve connecting the capacitor to the battery using the wires and allowing the flow of Direct Current (D.C).the bulb can also be introduced in the circuit to indicate charging. A capacitor has two plates, or leads were the long one is a positive plate, and the short one is a negative plate. Charging involves adding energy to the capacitor. Once the capacitor is being charged, the bulb reduces its brightness while charging is complete, the bulbs increase its intensity.

Question 3

Discharging the capacitor involves the loss of energy from the capacitor. When the capacitor has lower energy stored, it can be discharged by connecting the two plates, and the capacitor becomes depleted of its power. This is the method to use to discharge a capacitor using battery and wires, it is the quickest, but when the energy is high, a resistor can be used.

Question 4

            To find out a capacitor is charged without discharging, a voltmeter can be connected to the terminals of the capacitor were it deflects to show the presence of charges, it does not distract the capacitor is not charged.

Question 5

1. Incorrect
2. Explanation: This is because current cannot flow from negative terminal to the capacitor when charging but should flow from positive terminal to the capacitor.

Question 6

1. Correct
2. Explanation: while discharging, the plates of the capacitor are directly connected to the resistor to deplete the power, as shown.

Question 7

1. A) Correct
2. Explanation: During charging current should flow from the positive terminal to the capacitor to the negative terminal as shown.

Question 8

1. A) Incorrect
2. Explanation: A capacitor cannot be discharged by connecting the resistor, as shown since the energy stored in the capacitor will not be discharged.