RC circuit with lossy capacitor

Question

This circuit

^{simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab}

can be regarded as an RC series circuit with a lossy capacitor. The time expression for \$V_C(t)\$ with \$R_2 \to \infty \$ is available here and it is \$V_C(t) = V_0 (1 - e^{-t/\tau})\$.

I would like to obtain the same expression, but in this situation.

\$ V_0 \$ is the DC voltage generator; the switch is closed for \$t \geq 0\$ and \$V_C (t = 0) = 0\$ (capacitor initially discharged).

I can write

$$\frac{V_0 - V_C (t)}{R_1} = I(t)$$

$$\frac{V_0}{R_1} - \frac{1}{R_1 C} \frac{dQ(t)}{dt} = I(t)$$

which is the current across \$R_1\$ and so the total corrent entering \$ C // R_2 \$. \$V_C (t)\$ is variable during the capacitor charge. The fact is that here \$I(t)\$ is not simply \$dQ(t) / dt\$, because not all the charge exiting from \$R_1\$ goes through the capacitor: part of it flows across \$R_2\$ and this amount of "leaked" charge changes (raises) with time. So, how can this be taken into account?

Are there any hints to obtain a differential equation for the charge or the current of the capacitor?

Answer 1

The simplest way to analyze this circuit is to take V0, R1 and R2 as a group and find their Thévenin equivalent, with a different voltage and a new, single value of resistance. Then you can analyze it in the same way as the case with R2 = ∞.

Answer 2

I think the best approach to this problem is to use the Laplace Transform, but if you really want to use the time differential equation, you must take the expression of the current at the node that links R1, R2 and C.

\$I_{R1}(t) = I_C(t) + I_{R2}(t)\$.

If you work around with that formula, you will end up with the differential equation you are looking for.