Question

The peak current through a capacitor is 9.0 mA when connected to an AC source with a peak voltage of 0.90 V. What is the relationship between the peak current and peak voltage?

a. The peak current is inversely proportional to the peak voltage.
b. The peak current is directly proportional to the peak voltage.
c. The peak current and peak voltage are unrelated.
d. The peak current is proportional to the square of the peak voltage.

Answer 1

The peak current is directly proportional to the peak voltage in a capacitor connected to an AC source.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between the peak current and peak voltage in a capacitor connected to an AC source is that the peak current is directly proportional to the peak voltage. This means that as the peak voltage increases, the peak current also increases, and vice versa.

One way to understand this relationship is to consider Ohm's law. In a purely resistive circuit, the current is directly proportional to the voltage. In a capacitor, the reactance (which is similar to resistance) depends on the frequency and the capacitance. At a constant frequency, the reactance of the capacitor is inversely proportional to the capacitance. Hence, the peak current, which is related to the reactance, is directly proportional to the peak voltage.

For example, when the peak voltage doubles, the reactance of the capacitor also doubles, leading to twice the peak current flowing through it.