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More on Switches

A switch moves from one position to another.


This changes the circuit at the specified time.
The direction of the arrow determines which way the switch is moving.
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When a switch moves from one position to another, it happens at the time specified on the switch.
We are only interested in the time right before the switch moves and the time after the switch move.

In other words, if a switch moves at t = 0 s,


then we consider the circuit at:

1. t = 0 s (right before t = 0 s) and,


2. t = 0 + s (right after t =0 s).

We do not consider the circuit at t = 0 s, because we dont know where the switch is physically
during this quick switching time.

0- 0+
t=0s

The switch can move at times other than t = 0 as shown below:

Case 1 t = 0 s t=0 s t = 0 +s
Here is the switch CLOSES at t = 0 s
At t = 0 s the switch is open, and
At t = 0 + s the switch is closed.

Case 2 t = 5 s t=5 s t = 5 +s
The switch OPENS at t = 5 s
At t = 5 s the switch is open, and
At t = 5 + s the switch is closed

Case 3 t = 10 s t = 10 s t = 10 + s
The switch moves
from position-a to position-b at t = 10 s
At t = 10 s the switch is at position-a,
At t = 10 + s the switch is at position-b.

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