Question

The electrodes of a capacitor of capacitance C = 2.00 μF carry opposite charges q₀ = 1.00 mC. Then the electrodes are interconnected through a resistance R = 5.0 MΩ. Find: 

(a) the charge flowing through that resistance during a time interval τ = 2.00 s; 

(b) the amount of heat generated in the resistance during the same interval.

Answer 1

(a) Let, at any moment of time, charge on the plates be (q₀ - q) then current through the resistor  because the capacitor is discharging.

i = dq/dt

Now, applying loop rule in the circuit,

(b) Amount of heat generated = decrement in capacitance energy