What is a capacitor's discharge curve?

A capacitor's discharge curve shows how its voltage decreases over time when it's discharged.

When a capacitor is fully charged, it has stored electrical energy in the form of electric potential energy. When the capacitor is connected to a circuit, it begins to discharge, releasing this energy. The voltage across the capacitor decreases over time as the charge on the plates decreases.

The discharge curve of a capacitor is typically exponential, meaning that the voltage decreases at a constant rate over time. The rate of discharge depends on the capacitance of the capacitor, the resistance of the circuit, and the initial voltage across the capacitor.

The time constant of a capacitor is the time it takes for the voltage across the capacitor to decrease to 37% of its initial value. This time constant is given by the product of the capacitance and the resistance in the circuit. The discharge curve can be used to calculate the time constant and to determine the capacitance or resistance of the circuit.

In summary, a capacitor's discharge curve shows how its voltage decreases over time when it's discharged. The curve is typically exponential and can be used to calculate the time constant and determine the capacitance or resistance of the circuit.