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RC Discharging

How to Use

  • Set the initial voltage, resistance, and capacitance with the sliders
  • Press Start to animate the discharge
  • Watch the voltage curve, current arrow, and energy bar update in real time

What to Observe

  • Exponential decay: V(t) = V₀ · e^(−t/τ), where τ = RC
  • Current direction: current flows out of the capacitor and through the resistor, decreasing as V drops
  • Energy dissipation: energy stored in C (½CV²) is converted to heat in R
  • Time constant: after one τ, voltage falls to 36.8% of its initial value; after 5τ it is essentially zero