A student investigates the charging of a 470μF470 \mu\text{F}470μF capacitor using a series circuit consisting of the capacitor, a resistor RRR, an ideal voltmeter in parallel with the capacitor, an ideal ammeter in series, a switch, and a power supply of emf 12.0 V with negligible internal resistance. The capacitor is initially uncharged. When the switch is closed at time t=0t = 0t=0, charge begins to flow. The time constant of the charging circuit is 1.5 s.
State what is meant by a capacitance of 470μF470 \mu\text{F}470μF.
Calculate the resistance of resistor RRR.
Calculate the potential difference across the capacitor when the switch has been closed for 3.0 s.
Calculate the time taken for the charging current to fall to half of its initial value.
Calculate the time taken for the charge on the capacitor to reach 4.5 mC.
63 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Capacitance (A-level only), covering Capacitance (A-level only), Parallel plate capacitor (A-level only), Energy stored by a capacitor (A-level only), and Capacitor charge and discharge (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.