Exponential Growth of Charge and Voltage During Capacitor Charging

Capacitance, Dielectrics, and RC Circuits

11th Grade·Science·Open Global Science

Updated 1 month ago · 3 views

Model the exponential charging curve of an RC circuit over time and determine the circuit time constant tau = RC.

Premium Lesson

Upgrade to unlock this lesson, practice questions, and your personal tutor.

This lesson is part of a track

Public learning track

Capacitance, Dielectrics, and RC Circuits

11th Grade · Science · Open Global Science

7 lessons

Goal

Analyze capacitor geometries, dielectric polarization, stored energy, and time-dependent exponential charging and discharging behavior in RC circuits.

7 lessons

0 of 7 done

Defining Capacitance: Charge per VoltUp next
Calculating Capacitance Using Area and SeparationNot started yet
How Dielectrics Change CapacitanceNot started yet
Capacitor Energy Formulas: U = ½CV² and MoreNot started yet
Equivalent Capacitance in Series and Parallel NetworksNot started yet
Exponential Growth of Charge and Voltage During Capacitor ChargingYou are here
Exponential Decay of Charge, Voltage, and Current During DischargeNot started yet

View full track

Learning standards covered

OGS.12.PS3.2Open Global Science Standards 2026™ · 11th Grade

Analyze parallel-plate capacitors, dielectric materials, and capacitance: calculate stored electrical energy, dielectric polarization effects, and exponential transient charge and discharge voltage-time curves.