Interactive workbench · Experiment 03
Where does the capacitor’s energy go?
Charge, isolate, discharge. Follow voltage and energy over time.
Choose R and C, move forward in time, then isolate or discharge the capacitor.
IDEAL MODELSelect a component
Measurements
- —V
- Current through R
- —mA
- Stored energy
- —mJ
- Time constant
- —s
A · remembered
B · current
Difference B − A
A and B are read at the same cursor time.
The window stays fixed when R or C changes. A is dashed; B is solid.
Explain before continuing
Principle and limits
Ideal first-order RC circuit: τ = RC; Uc(t) = Ufinal + (Uinitial − Ufinal) × exp(−t/τ); E = ½ C Uc². Isolation preserves charge. Leakage, ESR, tolerances, polarity and voltage ratings are not simulated. No real damage is predicted.
OpenStax · University Physics, RC Circuits ↗