Problem Set 5: Applied Physics 180

Juan-Carlos V. Isip
April 8, 2024

1 The Problem
The circuit shown below contains two nonlinear devices and a current source. The characteristics
of the two devices are given. Determine the voltage, v, for (a) is = 1A, (b) is = 10A, (c) is =
1cos(t).

Figure 1: Circuit to be analyzed

2 The Solution
From KCL, we know that:
is = i1 (A) + i2 (A)
Hence, to generate the graph for the combined current, is , we need to combine the graphs of
i1 (A) and i2 (A). In the region −∞ < v ≤ 0,

is = i1 (A) + 0

since i2 (A) at this region is zero. The partially completed graph is shown below;

Figure 2: Partial graph number 1

In the region 0 < v ≤ 1, it is easy to see that the graph of i1 (A) cancels the contribution of
i2 (A). Hence in the region 0 < v ≤ 1, is = 0. The updated graph is;

1
 Figure 3: Partial graph number 2

In the region 1 < v ≤ ∞, i1 (A) = 1, and i2 (A) starts at -1 and increases linearly. Hence in
this region, v = is + 1the graph should look like this;

Figure 4: Partial graph number 3

Clearly, we can see that;

v = 2 Volts at is (A) = 1 Amps (1)

v = 11 Volts at is (A) = 10 Amps (2)

Lastly, we need to transfer to v(V) vs. time graph in order to find the voltage when is = 1cos(t).
The graph of is = 1cos(t) is simply a cosine graph. The coefficient of is is 1 Ampere, which
correspond to 2 Volts.

2
Therefore, the graph of voltage as a function of time should look like this;

Figure 5: Graph of v(t)