Figure shows a circuit that contains three identical resistors with resistance R = 9.0 each, two identical inductors with inductance L = 2.0 mH each, and an ideal battery with emf = 18 V. The current i through the battery just after the switch is closed is [figure]
- 0.2 A
- 4 A
- 0 ampere
- 2 mA
Answer
(2) 4 A
Solution
Just after the switch is closed:
an inductor opposes any sudden change of current, so it acts as an open circuit;
an uncharged capacitor acts as a short circuit (a plain wire).
Branch 1 (L in series with R): no current.
Branch 2 (R alone): i2 = 189 = 2 A
Branch 3 (R, then L parallel to C): current flows through R and the shorted capacitor, i3 = 189 = 2 A
i = i2 + i3 = 4 A
Answer: (2)