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# 14.12: Another Example

$$\text{FIGURE XIV.1}$$

The circuit in Figure $$\text{XIV.1}$$ contains two equal resistances, two equal capacitances, and a battery. The battery is connected at time $$t=0$$. Find the charges held by the capacitors after time $$t$$.

Apply Kirchhoff’s second rule to each half:

$(\dot Q_1 + \dot Q_2)RC + Q_2 = CV, \tag{14.12.1}$

and $\dot Q_1 RC + Q_1 - Q_2 = 0.\tag{14.12.2}$

Eliminate $$Q_2$$:

$R^2C^2\ddot Q_1 + 3 RC Q_1 + Q_1 = CV. \tag{14.12.3}$

Transform, with $$Q_1$$ and $$\dot Q_1$$ initially zero:

$(R^2C^2s^2 + 3RCs + 1) \bar{Q_1} = \frac{CV}{s}.\tag{14.12.4}$

I.e. $R^2C\bar{Q_1} = \frac{1}{s(s^2 + 3as + a^2)} \cdot V , \tag{14.12.5}$

where $a=1/(RC). \tag{14.12.6}$

That is $R^2C \bar{Q_1}= \frac{1}{s(s+2.618a)(s+0.382a)}V. \tag{14.12.7}$

Partial fractions: $R^2C\bar{Q_1} = \left[\frac{1}{s} + \frac{0.1708}{s+2.618a} - \frac{1.1708}{s+0.382a} \right] \frac{V}{a^2}. \tag{14.12.8}$

That is, $\bar{Q_1} = \left[ \frac{1}{s} + \frac{0.1708}{s+2.618a} - \frac{1.1708}{s+0.382a} \right]CV. \tag{14.12.9}$

Inverse transform: $Q_1 = \left[ 1 + 0.1708e^{-2.618t/(RC)} - 1.1708e^{-0.382t/(RC)} \right]. \tag{14.12.10}$

The current can be found by differentiation.

I leave it to the reader to eliminate $$Q_1$$ from equations 14.12.1 and 2 and hence to show that

$Q_2 = \left[1 - 0.2764 e^{-2.618 t/(RC)} - 0.7236 e^{-0.382 t/(RC)} \right]. \tag{14.12.11}$