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RC Charging/Discharging Explorer

The RC time constant — τ = R·C — sets how fast a capacitor charges and discharges.

τ = R · C
5τ ≈ fully

RC Series Circuit

R10 Ω
C1000 µF
E12 V
t0 s
Drag the time cursor (or let it run) to read the component voltage and current at a chosen instant.

Capacitor voltage Uc vs time

Uc τ marker 5τ marker

Current i vs time

i (charging ▲, discharging ▼) τ marker

How it works