Initially, current flows freely into the uncharged capacitor. As the capacitor charges, the current decreases exponentially. Eventually, the capacitor reaches steady state, where its voltage equals the source voltage and current flow stops.

When a charged capacitor discharges through a resistor, the charge, voltage, and current decrease exponentially with time. The rate of discharge is determined by the time constant τ = RC.

Use the reciprocal formula: $\frac{1}{C_{total}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \frac{1}{C_3} + ...$

Add the capacitances directly: $C_{total} = C_1 + C_2 + C_3 + ...$

Initially, current flows and the capacitor charges. As it charges, the current decreases. At steady state, the capacitor is fully charged, blocks DC current, and acts like an open circuit.

Series: Charge is the same on each capacitor. Parallel: Total charge is the sum of charges on each capacitor.

Series: Reciprocal addition is used. Parallel: Capacitances are added directly.

Initially: Current flows freely. Steady State: No current flows; acts as an open circuit.

Charging: Current decreases exponentially. Discharging: Current (magnitude) decreases exponentially, and flows in the opposite direction.

Series: Voltage is split across capacitors. Parallel: Voltage is the same across each capacitor.

Use the reciprocal addition formula: $\frac{1}{C_{total}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \frac{1}{C_3} + ...$

Add the capacitances directly: $C_{total} = C_1 + C_2 + C_3 + ...$

Initially, current flows freely. As the capacitor charges, the voltage across it increases until it equals the source voltage, at which point current stops flowing.

The capacitor releases its stored charge through the resistor, with the voltage and current decreasing exponentially over time.

The voltage across the capacitor increases over time until it reaches the voltage of the source, after which it remains constant.