How is it possible for current to flow in a circuit with a capacitor since, the resistance offered by the dielectric is very large. we essentially have an open circuit? A capacitor has an insulator or dielectric between its plates. The resistance is very high in charged cap but almost zero in discharged one.
When a capacitor charges, electrons flow onto one plate and move off the other plate. This process will be continued until the potential difference across the capacitor is equal to the potential difference across the battery. Because the current changes throughout charging, the rate of flow of charge will not be linear.
Capacitive reactance opposes current flow but the electrostatic charge on the plates (its AC capacitance value) remains constant. This means it becomes easier for the capacitor to fully absorb the change in charge on its plates during each half cycle.
This process will be continued until the potential difference across the capacitor is equal to the potential difference across the battery. Because the current changes throughout charging, the rate of flow of charge will not be linear. At the start, the current will be at its highest but will gradually decrease to zero.
harges, electrons flow onto one plate and move off the other plate. This process will be continued until the potential difference across th capacitor is equal to the potential difference across the battery. Because the current changes throughout charging, the rate of flow of charge will not be linear.At the start, the
The other factor which affects the rate of charge is the capacitance of the capacitor. A higher capacitance means that more charge can be stored, it will take longer for all this charge to flow to the capacitor. The time constant is the time it takes for the charge on a capacitor to decrease to (about 37%).