Direct Current and Transient Analysis 103
When a circuit switches from one condition to a new set of conditions, there is a transi-
tion period where the currents and voltages adjust to the new circuit conditions. The tran-
sition time is referred to as the transient response or simply as transient, and is usually
defi ned by a set of differential equations.
The basic passive circuit elements such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors are intro-
duced, defi ned, and used in this chapter. Circuit variables such as voltage, current, power,
and energy are also defi ned in terms of the circuit elements and its excitations; and transient
conditions for the standard electrical confi gurations are stated, explored, and analyzed.2.2 Objectives
On reading this chapter, the reader should be able toDistinguish between DC and AC
State the laws of attraction and repulsion (Coulomb’s law) at the subatomic level
Defi ne ampere (the unit of electric current) and volt (the unit of electric voltage)
quantitatively and qualitatively
Relate current, charge, and time
Defi ne the concept of conductor, superconductor, semiconductor, and insulator
Defi ne and know Ohm’s law
Defi ne an electrical short and open and its electrical equivalents
Defi ne and know how to use the basic electric concepts and terminology such as
voltage drop, current fl ow, and resistance
Recognize a series and parallel connection
Draw schematic diagrams of simple electric circuits
State Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL) and Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL)
State the voltage divider rule
State the current divider rule
Know how and when to apply the voltage or current divider rules
Defi ne electric power and energy
State the equations that defi ne the energy storing devices such as the inductor (L)
and capacitor (C)
Combine resistors, capacitors, and inductors in a series and parallel confi guration
Calculate the equivalent capacitance and inductance
State the conditions for the steady-state and transient responses
Defi ne the time constant of an electric circuit and its meaning and applications
Present the equation and plots of the charging and discharging for the simple
circuits known as resistor capacitor (RC) and resistor inductor network (RL)
Set up the circuit equations for simple circuits
State the differential equations and the exponential form of the solution for the RC
and RL cases