Capacitor Charge & Discharge

Adjust R, C and V₀, then watch electrons flow and the exponential curves build in real time.

Resistance R 1.0 kΩ

Capacitance C 500 µF

Supply voltage V₀ 6.0 V

Time constant τ = RC

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Elapsed time t

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Charge Q

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Voltage V꜀

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Current I

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Status

Idle

Charging: Q = CV₀(1 - e^-t/RC), V_C = V₀(1 - e^-t/RC), I = (V₀/R)e^-t/RC. Discharging uses Q = Q₀e^-t/RC and I = -(Q₀/RC)e^-t/RC, so the current reverses direction.

Charge Q (µC) Voltage V꜀ (V) Current I (mA)