Final answer:
In an LR-series circuit with an applied electromotive force of 120 volts, an inductance of 0.4 henry, and a resistance of 40 ohms, the current is zero for all times t. As t goes to infinity, the current approaches zero as well, reaching a steady state of zero.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an LR-series circuit, the current is given by the equation:
i(t) = I0 * (1 - e-t/(L/R))
Where:
i(t) is the current at time t
I0 is the initial current at t = 0
L/R is the time constant of the circuit, defined as the inductance divided by the resistance
In this case, with an applied electromotive force of 120 volts, an inductance of 0.4 henry, and a resistance of 40 ohms, the time constant is:
L/R = 0.4/40 = 0.01 seconds
For i(0) = 0, we have:
i(0) = I0 * (1 - e0) = 0
Solving for I0, we find:
I0 = 0 / (1 - e0) = 0
Therefore, the current in the circuit is zero for all times t.
As t goes to infinity, the term e-t/(L/R) approaches zero, so the current approaches zero as well. The current in the circuit will eventually reach a steady state of zero.