In a DC steady-state for an RC circuit, what does the capacitor do?

Get ready for the NCCER Introduction to Electrical Circuits exam. Study with multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

In a DC steady-state for an RC circuit, what does the capacitor do?

Explanation:
In DC steady state, a capacitor stops current flow because its voltage stops changing. The current through a capacitor is i = C dv/dt, so once dv/dt = 0, the current becomes zero. The capacitor has charged up to the supply (or the final node voltage) and, for DC, it presents an open path to current. That’s why the capacitor “charges and becomes an open circuit.” Initially it acts like a short, but after enough time it blocks DC current.

In DC steady state, a capacitor stops current flow because its voltage stops changing. The current through a capacitor is i = C dv/dt, so once dv/dt = 0, the current becomes zero. The capacitor has charged up to the supply (or the final node voltage) and, for DC, it presents an open path to current. That’s why the capacitor “charges and becomes an open circuit.” Initially it acts like a short, but after enough time it blocks DC current.

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