Capacitor Charging Equation

Development of the capacitor charging relationship requires calculus methods and involves a differential equation. For continuously varying charge the current is defined by a derivative

This kind of differential equation has a general solution of the form:

and the detailed solution is formed by substitution of the general solution and forcing it to fit the boundary conditions of this problem. The result is

Charging capacitorCapacitor discharge
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Capacitor Concepts
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Capacitor Discharge Calculation

For circuit parameters:
= , = V

=, = s = time constant.

This circuit will have a maximum current of = A
just after the switch is closed.
The charge will start at its maximum value= .
At time t = s=
the current is = = A,
the capacitor voltage is = = V,
and the charge on the capacitor is = =

Capacitor charging discussion
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DC Circuits
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