AdvancedA-001-001-004

What is the term for the time it takes for a charged capacitor in an RC circuit to discharge to 36.8% of its initial value of stored charge?

A
Answer
Advanced theory and components
Type
A
One time constant
B
An exponential discharge of one
C
A discharge factor of one
D
One discharge period

Answer Notes

In a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit, the discharge rate of a capacitor follows an exponential decay curve. The standard measure for this rate is the 'time constant,' calculated by multiplying the circuit's resistance (R) by its capacitance (C). During one time constant, the charge and voltage of a discharging capacitor will fall by 63.2% of its starting value. This leaves exactly 36.8% (which is 1/e) of the initial stored charge remaining in the capacitor. Just as with charging circuits, terms like 'discharge factor' or 'discharge period' are incorrect, made-up distractors. The universal term for this specific exponential decay interval is the 'time constant.'
Previous · A-001-001-003
What is the term for the time required for the current in an RL circuit to build up to 63.2% of the maximum value?
Next · A-001-001-005
What is meant by "back EMF"?