Consider a circuit with a capacitor, battery, wire, and bulb. Describe the source(s) of charge during capacitor discharging.
It depends on the voltage on the capacitor, and how it is connected.
During the discharging process of a capacitor in a circuit, the source of charge comes from the electric field stored within the capacitor itself. Let me explain how this happens:
1. Initially, when the circuit is closed, the capacitor gets charged by the battery. The battery provides an electric potential difference (voltage) across the capacitor plates, causing free electrons to move from the negative terminal of the battery towards one plate of the capacitor.
2. As the electrons accumulate on the capacitor plate, it builds up a negative charge, while the other plate acquires an equal positive charge due to electron deficiency.
3. When the capacitor is discharging, the circuit is opened, disconnecting it from the battery. Now, the charged capacitor acts as a temporary source of charge.
4. The potential difference across the capacitor tries to equalize, and the stored electric field within it exerts a force on the electrons in the circuit.
5. The electrons then flow from the negatively charged plate of the capacitor towards the positively charged plate, creating a temporary current in the circuit.
6. As the electrons move through the wire, they can pass through the bulb or any other components connected in the circuit, causing them to function.
So, during the process of discharging, the source of charge comes from the electric field stored within the capacitor, as it exerts a force on the electrons, causing them to flow through the circuit.