First-order Circuits

Reading: Sections 2.9, 8.2, 8.3, 8.6 and 8.9.

Objectives: We want to be able to

  1. recognize first-order circuits.
  2. determine the initial condition of a first-order circuit.
  3. determine the time constant of a first-order circuit
  4. use Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits to analyze first-order circuits
  5. express element voltages and currents of first-order circuits as functions of time.
  6. use the step function to represent a piecewise linear function.
  7. interpret a plot of voltage or current from a first order circuit.
Lecture Notes:
  1. A step-by-step procedure for analyzing first-order circuits.
  2. Worked examples illustrating the step-by-step procedure.

WileyPLUS Homework: Homework 8 is due on November 7.

Handouts: .

On-line Exercises:

  1. First-order circuits.
  2. More first-order circuits.
  3. Switched first-order circuits.

Review for the 2nd Midterm Exam

Exam Information:

  • This midterm exam is a 75 minute exam given during the regularly scheduled class meeting on Nov. 11.

  • This midterm covers material from Chapters 5, 6 7, and 8. In particular:
    • Circuit Theorems
      • Source transformations.
      • Superposition.
      • Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits.
      • Maximum power transfer.
    • Op amps
      • Ideal op amps.
      • Node equations for op amp circuits.
      • Standard op amp circuits.
    • Circuits containing capacitors and inductors.
      • Using the element equations.
      • Dc and switched DC circuits.
      • Series and parallel combinations.
    • First-order circuits.
      • Step functions and switches.
      • Steady state response and initial conditions.
      • Time constants.
      • Analysis using Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits.
      • Plots of voltages or currents.
  • This midterm exam will be "closed book, closed notes" but I will provide a "crib sheet".
  • Bring a calculator.
Practice Exams:
  1. Practice Exam 1 exam, answers and solutions.
  2. Practice Exam 2 exam, answers and solutions.

On-line Exercises:

  1. Signal Processing,
  2. Superposition,
  3. Source Transformations,
  4. Thevenin Equivalent Circuits,
  5. Ideal op amp circuits.
  6. Writing node equations for op amp circuits,
  7. Capacitors and Inductors.
  8. First-order circuits.
  9. More first-order circuits.
  10. Switched first-order circuits.


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