Ab L.

asked • 10/21/17

Which one of the following will NOT increase the time constant in an RC circuit?

Options:
Adding another resistor in series.


Switching out the capacitor for one with a larger capacitance


Switching out the resistor for one with a larger resistance


Increasing the voltage of the power supply


1 Expert Answer

By:

Arturo O. answered • 10/21/17

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τ = RC
 
Note that τ does not depend on the voltage of the power supply.  The correct answer is that increasing the voltage of the power supply will NOT increase the time constant in an RC circuit.  All of the other choices increase τ.
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Ab L.

Thanks Arturo. Correct me if I am wrong. So that means voltage has no effect on the time constant?
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10/21/17

Arturo O.

Ab,
 
You are correct.  As you can see, the time constant depends only on the resistance and capacitance.  However, the voltage will have effect on the current flow through the circuit.
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10/21/17

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