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

10314 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A cylindrical rod of radius 7mm and Young’s Modulus 70 GPa has a weight F applied to it. The material experiences a strain of 0.2%. What force has been applied?


A student is measuring the acceleration due to gravity, g. They drop a piece of card from rest, from a vertical height of 0.75m above a light gate. The light gate measures the card's speed as it passes to be 3.84 m/s. Calculate an estimate for g.


A model truck A of mass 1.2 kg is travelling due west with a speed of 0.90 m/s . A second truck B of mass 4.0 kg is travelling due east towards A with a speed of 0.35 m/s .


How can you tell if a reaction will happen?


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