RC-1

RC Circuits
An RC circuit is a circuit with a resistor (R) and a capacitor (C). RC circuits are used to
construct timers and filters.

Example 1. Very simple RC circuit: a capacitor C, charged to an initial voltage V0 = Q0/C,

attached to a resistor R with a switch.

switch
C
+Q0
Q
RC =
⇒ V0
Q
= 0

–Q0

Close the switch at time t = 0 , so current I starts to flow. The charged capacitor is acting like a
battery: it produces a voltage difference across the resistor which drives the current through the
resistor:

At t = 0+,

I0
=
V0
.

+Q

I
R

–Q

dQ
(– sign because Q is decreasing)
I=−
dt
Vacross C = Vacross R , VC = VR ,

=I R ,

=−
dQ

⋅R
,

dQ
1
=−
Q

dt

dt
RC

RC = "time constant" = τ, has units of time

is a differential equation of the form
dx

= a ⋅x ,
where a is a constant.

dt
This equation says: (rate of charge of x) ∝ x ⇔ exponential solution :
x =x
0
exp a t
)
(

dx

dx
⋅ea t
)

at
(0

Check:
=

=⋅ax
⋅e
=a ⋅x .

It works!
dt

dt

0
a > 0 ⇒ exponential growth ,

a<0
⇒ exponential decay

The solution to

dQ

1
is

=−

Q(t)
=Q
0
exp

=C V exp

−
dt

RC

0
RC

Notice that at t = 0, the formula gives Q = Q0 .

In time τ, Q falls by a factor of exp(–1) = 1/e ≅0.37..

Last update: 10/8/2009

Dubson Phys1120 Notes, ©University of Colorado

In time 2τ,Q falls by a factor of exp(–2) = (1/e)(1/e) ≅0.14..

⇒ Q approaches zero asymptotically, and so does V and I

Q0

Q(t) =Q 0
exp −

RC

Q0/e

τ
t
RC-2

t
=Q
exp −

C
V=Q/C VC = Q /
dQ C by Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (Loop Law)
I =−
other V's
V in this
=+ 0
example.
exp(−t/ τ) The charge Q on the capacitor and the voltage VC
E = Q / C across the capacitor cannot change
dt instantly, since it takes time for Q to build up,
R so ..

At t = 0+ , Q = 0 , VC = 0, E = VC + VR = VR = I
R ⇒ I0 = E / R

Although Q on the capacitor cannot change

t t instantly, the current I = dQ/dt can change
instantly.

"Current through a capacitor" means dQ/dt .

Before Even
Example 2: More complex RC switch is
circuit: Charging a capacitor with closed, I
a battery. = 0, Q =
0.
switch though there is no charge ever passing between
R the
Let's use symbol E for battery I
VR = I R +
voltage (E
Close -
switch at I
t = 0.
plates of the capacitor, there is a current going
short for emf) because there are so into one
many
+
Always -
true that
E = VC
+ VR ,
+ Dubson Phys1120 Notes, ©University of
- + Colorado
-

Last update: 10/8/2009

RC-3

plate and the same current is coming out of the other plate, so it is as if there is a current passing
through the capacitor.

E
C
E = VR
+ VC

dQ

E = IR
+

, I =+

C
dt

R
E =
dQ
R+
Q

dt

Qualitatively, as t ↑, Q ↑, VC = Q/C ↑, VR ↓, I = VR / R ↓. After a long time , t >> τ= RC , the

current decreases to zero: I = 0, VC = E , Q = C E

Vc = Q / C

Analytic solution:
E
VC
(t) =E [1
−exp( −t/RC)]

Q(t) =E ⋅C [1 −exp( t /−RC) ]

Things to remember:

Uncharged capacitor acts like a "short" ( a wire ) since VC = Q / C = 0.

After a long time, when the capacitor is fully charged, it acts like an "open-circuit" ( a break the
wire). We must have IC = 0 eventually, otherwise Q → ∞, VC → ∞.

Last update: 10/8/2009 Dubson Phys1120

Notes, ©University of Colorado