Description
Return membrane resistance, capacitance and area-independent time constant.
Membrane electrical quantities distinguish total from area-specific properties, concentration ratios from activities and single-ion from multi-ion models. Local capacitance, current or potential terms require compatible sign, valence, temperature and unit conventions without themselves validating a biological membrane.
Return membrane resistance, capacitance and area-independent time constant.
When to use this tool
Use Membrane Time Constant Area Cancellation when evaluating the stated membrane, ionic or area-basis term.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter specificResistance, specificCapacitance, area. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read resistance, capacitance, timeConstant. Use the output convention below.
Return membrane resistance, capacitance and area-independent time constant. Require nonnegative specificResistance/specificCapacitance and area > 0; R = specificResistance/area, C = specificCapacitance*area, tau is their specific-property product.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| specificResistance | Membrane resistance times area; SI ohm m². | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| specificCapacitance | Capacitance per area; SI F/m². | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| area | Area | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| resistance | Resistance | Required. Finite number. |
| capacitance | Capacitance | Required. Finite number. |
| timeConstant | specificResistance*specificCapacitance; seconds for compatible SI units. | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"specificResistance": 100,
"specificCapacitance": 0.01,
"area": 2
},
"output": {
"resistance": 50,
"capacitance": 0.02,
"timeConstant": 1
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Specific resistance has resistance-times-area units; this uniform lumped RC model does not validate a biological membrane.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified concentrations, activities, geometry and electrical calibration with the appropriate complete membrane/channel model for physiological interpretation.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Membrane Capacitance Area Thickness Factor
Return parallel-plate membrane capacitance.
- Membrane Capacitance Area Ratio
Return capacitance per membrane area.