ABSTRACT
The study of transient and steady-state response of a circuit is very important as they form the building blocks of most electrical circuits. This chapter explores the response of capacitors and inductors to sudden changes in direct current voltage, called a transient voltage, when connected in series with a resistor. Transient curves representing the induced voltage/time, resistor voltage/time and current/time characteristics may be drawn graphically. Unlike resistors, which respond instantaneously to applied voltage, capacitors and inductors react overtime as they absorb and release energy. Each time a switch is made or an input is connected, circuit conditions change, but only for a short time; during the brief transient events, components and circuits may behave differently to the way they behave under normal 'static' conditions. Energy stored in the magnetic field of an inductor exists because a current provides the magnetic field.
