Would adding another capacitor in parallel to an RC circuit increase, decrease, or not change its time constant?

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**Question:**

b. Would adding another capacitor in parallel to an RC circuit increase, decrease, or not change its time constant?

**Answer Explanation:**

In an RC circuit, the time constant (\(\tau\)) is determined by the product of the resistance (R) and the capacitance (C), expressed as \(\tau = R \times C\).

When additional capacitors are added in parallel to the existing capacitor in the circuit, the total capacitance increases. This is because capacitors in parallel combine by summing their capacitances:

\[ C_{\text{total}} = C_1 + C_2 + \ldots + C_n \]

With a higher total capacitance while the resistance remains constant, the time constant \(\tau\) will increase. Therefore, adding another capacitor in parallel will increase the time constant of the RC circuit.
Transcribed Image Text:**Question:** b. Would adding another capacitor in parallel to an RC circuit increase, decrease, or not change its time constant? **Answer Explanation:** In an RC circuit, the time constant (\(\tau\)) is determined by the product of the resistance (R) and the capacitance (C), expressed as \(\tau = R \times C\). When additional capacitors are added in parallel to the existing capacitor in the circuit, the total capacitance increases. This is because capacitors in parallel combine by summing their capacitances: \[ C_{\text{total}} = C_1 + C_2 + \ldots + C_n \] With a higher total capacitance while the resistance remains constant, the time constant \(\tau\) will increase. Therefore, adding another capacitor in parallel will increase the time constant of the RC circuit.
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