Initially, the capacitor acts like a wire, allowing charge flow. As it charges, its potential difference increases, current decreases, and energy is stored until fully charged with zero current.

The capacitor releases stored charge through the resistor. Potential difference, current, and stored energy decrease over time until reaching steady state.

Sum the inverses of individual capacitances: $\frac{1}{C_{eq,s}} = \sum_{i} \frac{1}{C_i}$.

Simply add the individual capacitances: $C_{eq,p} = \sum_{i} C_i$.

Multiply the equivalent resistance and equivalent capacitance: $\tau = R_{eq}C_{eq}$.

A component that opposes the flow of electric current, dissipating energy as heat.

A component that stores electrical energy in an electric field.

The total capacitance of a circuit with multiple capacitors that can be analyzed as a single capacitor.

A measure of how quickly a capacitor charges or discharges in an RC circuit, calculated as $\tau = R_{eq}C_{eq}$.

The process where a capacitor accumulates electric charge, increasing its potential difference and stored energy over time.

The process where a capacitor releases its stored electric charge, decreasing its potential difference and stored energy over time.

Series: Equivalent capacitance is less than the smallest individual capacitance; same charge on each capacitor. Parallel: Equivalent capacitance is the sum of individual capacitances; same voltage across each capacitor.

Uncharged: Acts like a wire, allowing easy charge flow. Fully Charged: Acts like an open circuit, blocking charge flow.

Charging: Time constant represents the time it takes for the charge to increase from 0 to approximately 63% of its final value. Discharging: Time constant represents the time it takes for the charge to decrease from 100% to approximately 37% of its initial value.

Series: $\frac{1}{C_{\text{eq}, \text{s}}}=\sum_{i} \frac{1}{C_{i}}$ Parallel: $C_{\text {eq.p }}=\sum_{i} C_{i}$

Initial: Current is at its maximum. Final: Current is zero.