ABSTRACT

Consider a circuit comprised of a capacitor and an inductor, as illustrated in Figure 40.1. Prior to t = 0, the capacitor was charged to ±Q0. At t = 0 the switch is closed. Before we commence qualitative, energetic, and quantitative analyses of this simple circuit, let us acknowledge that the presumption of zero resistance is profoundly unphysical. Nevertheless, the results obtained here have bearing on situations in which the resistive effects are small vis-a`-vis inductive and capacitive effects, and help pave the way for the general analysis of RCL circuits in Chapter 41.