Handout 8

• As the capacitor charges, the voltage increases, and the potential difference across the resistor decreases
• Formula for current i:

  
• As the charge increases, q/RC becomes larger and the capacitor reaches a final value denoted as Qf. The current i becomes zero.
• Time Constant - also known as relaxation time, is the measurement of how quick the capacitor charges
• t - time constant

  r - resistor with resistance (MΩ)

  c - capacitor with capacitance (µF)

  
• µF - $x10^-6$
• MΩ - $x10^6$
• sum of the voltage drops is equal to V
• When the capacitor is fully charged, the potential difference across the resistor becomes zero


  the current becomes zero and the voltage appears now at the capacitor