A capacitor,initially having a charge Q on the left plate and a charge -Q on the right plate,is connected to a switch and an inductor,as shown in the figure. Assuming the resistance of the circuit is zero,when the switch is closed,

Question

A capacitor,initially having a charge Q on the left plate and a charge -Q on the right plate,is connected to a switch and an inductor,as shown in the figure.  Assuming the resistance of the circuit is zero,when the switch is closed,

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the switch is closed, the capacitor will discharge through the inductor, creating a magnetic field. The direction of the current is such that it opposes the change in the magnetic field, so the current will continue to flow until the capacitor is fully discharged (i.e., left plate has a charge of -Q). At this point, the inductor will start releasing its energy, causing the current to flow in the opposite direction and charging the capacitor back up until the left plate has a charge of +Q. The cycle will then repeat over and over. Therefore, option (B) is the correct choice. Option (A) is incorrect because the current will continue to flow even after the left plate is no longer charged. Option (C) is incorrect because the current does not flow back and forth through the inductor indefinitely. Option (D) is incorrect because one of the options must be correct.

A Capacitor,initially Having a Charge Q on the Left Plate