• Learn the physical descriptions of inductance and capacitance and know that they are lossless elements that can store energy but not dissipate it.
• Learn the integral and differential equations for the terminal variables of an inductor and a capacitor. Know that the reference directions for the variables are defined using the passive sign convention.
• Learn that a capacitor does not permit an instantaneous change in its voltage and the inductor does not permit an instantaneous change in its current. Know why this is so.
• Learn that a capacitor behaves as an open circuit to a constant applied voltage, while an inductor behaves as a short circuit to a constant current through it.
• Know how the integral equations for these elements can take account of initial conditions on the elements.
• Know that these relations are the dual of eachother, that is if voltage and current (and L and C) are interchanged, the equations have the same form.
• Learn the power and energy equations for an inductor and a capacitor.
• Know how the equivalent inductance of a series and parallel combination of uncharged inductors can be calculated.
• Know how the equivalent capacitance of a series and parallel combination of uncharged capacitors can be calculated.

Skills: In studying the material in this chapter, you should make certain that you develop the following skills:

• For a specified current/voltage time-domain input to an inductor, or a capacitor, be able to determine the corresponding voltage/current time-domain response.
• For a specified time-domain or constant voltage or current applied to an inductor or capacitor, be able to determine the time-domain or constant power and energy associated with the element.
• For a series and parallel combination of uncharged inductors, be able to determine the equivalent inductance. Similarly, for a collection of capacitors be able to determine the equivalent capacitance.

Review Questions: Test your understanding of the material in this chapter by answering the following review questions:

1. For two capacitors which are to be connected in parallel, calculate the energy stored in each capacitor before the connection is made. Calculate the energy stored in the two capacitors after the connection is made. Compare these quantities and comment on the results.

2. Determine the form of the resulting voltage when a step function, a ramp, and a sinusoid are applied as input currents to a capacitor. Repeat the determination when these waveforms are applied as voltages.

3. Repeat the preceding problem for an inductor.