When a condenser discharges electricity, the instantaneous rate of change of the voltage is proportional to the voltage in the condenser. Suppose you have a discharging condenser and the instantaneous rate of change of the voltage is -0.01 of the voltage (in volts per second). How many seconds does it take for the voltage to decrease by 90 %?

460.52 s

Explanation:

Since the instantaneous rate of change of the voltage is proportional to the voltage in the condenser, we have that

dV/dt ∝ V

dV/dt = kV

separating the variables, we have

dV/V = kdt

integrating both sides, we have

∫dV/V = ∫kdt

㏑(V/V₀) = kt

V/V₀ =

Since the instantaneous rate of change of the voltage is -0.01 of the voltage dV/dt = -0.01V

Since dV/dt = kV

-0.01V = kV

k = -0.01

So, V/V₀ =

V = V₀

Given that the voltage decreases by 90 %, we have that the remaining voltage (100 % - 90%)V₀ = 10%V₀ = 0.1V₀

So, V = 0.1V₀

Thus

V = V₀

0.1V₀ = V₀

0.1V₀/V₀ =

0.1 =

to find the time, t it takes the voltage to decrease by 90%, we taking natural logarithm of both sides, we have

㏑(0.01) = -0.01t

So, t = ㏑(0.01)/-0.01

t = -4.6052/-0.01

t = 460.52 s