Why does the rate of change of potential difference between two capacitor plates decrease as the capacitor discharges?

Current, I, is related to voltage by Ohm's law, I=V/R. As the capacitor discharges, the current will decrease as less charge is "released" from the capacitor. From Ohm's law, we would expect lower currents to result in lower potential differences (assuming a constant resistance), thus as the current decreases, the potential difference also decreases, at an exponential rate.

FT
Answered by Francis T. Physics tutor

10035 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A child is standing on a walkway that is moving at 2 metres per second and decides to turn around and walk back to the start at 2 metres per second. Explain why the child cannot reach the start of the walkway at this speed.


Why are fringes are formed in the Young double slit experiment?


Two trains are heading in opposite directions on the same track. Train X has a mass of 16000kg and a speed of 2.8m/s. Train Y has a mass of 12000kg and a speed of 3.1m/s. At what speed do the joined trains move off together immediately after the collison?


Name an experiment proving that light is wave and one that is proving that light consists of particles.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning