Charge cannot jump
Switching circuits keeps the capacitor p.d. continuous.
Electricity · Capacitors
Watch a capacitor charge and discharge
Follow the electrons, then connect their changing flow rate to the exponential graphs.
Learning goalExplain why current falls as charge builds up—or leaves—the plates.
Charging circuit · battery connected
Electrons are separating onto the plates
Electron-transfer rate
maximum
Latest circuit eventBattery connected · capacitor initially empty
Key idea: charging and discharging each use resistance R; the resistance control sets both. Only the selected branch is closed. Electrons move through the conductors and resistor, and none cross the dielectric gap.
Live evidence
Open one graph and follow it closely
Each graph starts from the latest switch event. The moving point is the capacitor now.
Current is a rate
More electron-transfer events each second means a larger current.
The gap stays insulating
Electrons build up on plate surfaces; they do not cross the dielectric.