Solved: The DefibrillatorA defibrillator is designed to | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for College Physics

Chapter 23 Problem 81PP

Question

Problem 81PP

The Defibrillator

A defibrillator is designed to pass a large current through a patient’s torso in order to stop dangerous heart rhythms. Its key part is a capacitor that is charged to a high voltage. The patient’s torso plays the role of a resistor in an RC circuit. When a switch is closed, the capacitor discharges through the patient’s torso. A jolt from a defibrillator is intended to be intense and rapid; the maximum current is very large, so the capacitor discharges quickly. This rapid pulse depolarizes the heart, stopping all electrical activity. This allows the heart’s internal nerve circuitry to reestablish a healthy rhythm.

A typical defibrillator has a 32 μF capacitor charged to 5000 V. The electrodes connected to the patient are coated with a conducting gel that reduces the resistance of the skin to where the effective resistance of the patient’s torso is 100 Ω.

For the values noted in the passage above, what is the time constant for the discharge of the capacitor?

A. 3.2 ms

B. 160 ms

C. 3.2 ms

D. 160 ms

Solution

Step 1 of 3)

The first step in solving 23 problem number trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: Problem 81PPThe DefibrillatorA defibrillator is designed to pass a large current through a patient’s torso in order to stop dangerous heart rhythms. Its key part is a capacitor that is charged to a high voltage. The patient’s torso plays the role of a resistor in an RC circuit. When a switch is closed, the capacitor discharges through the patient’s torso. A jolt from a defibrillator is intended to be intense and rapid; the maximum current is very large, so the capacitor discharges quickly. This rapid pulse depolarizes the heart, stopping all electrical activity. This allows the heart’s internal nerve circuitry to reestablish a healthy rhythm.A typical defibrillator has a 32 μF capacitor charged to 5000 V. The electrodes connected to the patient are coated with a conducting gel that reduces the resistance of the skin to where the effective resistance of the patient’s torso is 100 Ω.For the values noted in the passage above, what is the time constant for the discharge of the capacitor?A. 3.2 msB. 160 msC. 3.2 msD. 160 ms
From the textbook chapter Circuits you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.

Step 2 of 7)

Visible to paid subscribers only

Step 3 of 7)

Visible to paid subscribers only

Subscribe to view the
full solution

Title College Physics 12 
Author Randall D. Knight
ISBN 9780321595492

Solved: The DefibrillatorA defibrillator is designed to

Chapter 23 textbook questions

×

Login

Organize all study tools for free

Or continue with
×

Register

Sign up for access to all content on our site!

Or continue with

Or login if you already have an account

×

Reset password

If you have an active account we’ll send you an e-mail for password recovery

Or login if you have your password back