Basic Electrical Engineering Questions and Answers – Growth and Decay

This set of Basic Electrical Engineering Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Growth and Decay”.

1. The charging time constant of a circuit consisting of a capacitor is the time taken for the charge in the capacitor to become __________ % of the initial charge.
a) 33
b) 63
c) 37
d) 36
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: We know that: Q=Q0(1-e-t/RC).
When RC=t, we have: Q=Q0(1-e-1) = 0.63*Q0.
Hence the time constant is the time taken for the charge in a capacitive circuit to become 0.63 times its initial charge.

2. The discharging time constant of a circuit consisting of a capacitor is the time taken for the charge in the capacitor to become __________ % of the initial charge.
a) 33
b) 63
c) 37
d) 36
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: We know that: Q=Q0(1-e-t/RC).
When RC=t, we have: Q=Q0(1-e-1) = 0.37*Q0.
Hence the time constant is the time taken for the charge in a capacitive circuit to become 0.37 times its initial charge.

3. A circuit has a resistance of 2 ohm connected in series with a capacitance of 6F. Calculate the charging time constant.
a) 3
b) 1
c) 12
d) 8
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The charging time constant in a circuit consisting of a capacitor and resistor in series is the product of the resistance and capacitance = 2*6 = 12.
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4. A circuit has a resistance of 5 ohm connected in series with a capacitance of 10F. Calculate the discharging time constant.
a) 15
b) 50
c) 5
d) 10
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The discharging time constant in a circuit consisting of a capacitor and resistor in series is the product of the resistance and capacitance = 5*10 = 50.

5. What is the value of current in a discharging capacitive circuit if the initial current is 2A at time t=RC.
a) 0.74A
b) 1.26A
c) 3.67A
d) 2.89A
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: At time t=RC, that is the time constant, we know that the value of current at that time interval is equal to 63% of the initial charge in the discharging circuit. Hence, I = 2*0.63 = 1.26A.
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6. What is the value of current in a charging capacitive circuit if the initial current is 2A at time t=RC.
a) 0.74A
b) 1.26A
c) 3.67A
d) 2.89A
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: At time t=RC, that is the time constant, we know that the value of current at that time interval is equal to 37% of the initial charge in the discharging circuit. Hence, I = 2*0.37 = 0.74A.

7. While discharging, what happens to the current in the capacitive circuit?
a) Decreases linearly
b) Increases linearly
c) Decreases exponentially
d) Increases exponentially
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The equation for the value of current in a discharging capacitive circuit is:
I=I0(1-e-t/RC). From this equation, we can see that the current is exponentially increasing.
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8. While discharging, what happens to the voltage in the capacitive circuit?
a) Decreases linearly
b) Increases linearly
c) Decreases exponentially
d) Increases exponentially
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The equation for the value of voltage in a discharging capacitive circuit is:
V=V0(e-t/RC). From this equation, we can see that the voltage is exponentially decreasing.

9. While charging, what happens to the current in the capacitive circuit?
a) Decreases linearly
b) Increases linearly
c) Decreases exponentially
d) Increases exponentially
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The equation for the value of current in a charging capacitive circuit is:
I=I0(e-t/RC). From this equation, we can see that the current is exponentially decreasing.
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10. While charging, what happens to the voltage in the capacitive circuit?
a) Decreases linearly
b) Increases linearly
c) Decreases exponentially
d) Increases exponentially
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The equation for the value of voltage in a charging capacitive circuit is:
V=V0(1-e-t/RC). From this equation, we can see that the voltage is exponentially increasing.

Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Basic Electrical Engineering.

To practice all areas of Basic Electrical Engineering, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.

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Manish Bhojasia - Founder & CTO at Sanfoundry
Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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