Enter the initial voltage, time, resistance, and capacitance into the calculator to determine the output voltage of a capacitor in a discharge phase. This calculator helps in analyzing the voltage across a capacitor as it discharges through a resistor over time.

Capacitor Output Voltage Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the output voltage of a capacitor:

V(t) = V₀ * e^{(-t / (R * C))}

Variables:

  • V(t) is the output voltage across the capacitor at time t (V)
  • V₀ is the initial voltage across the capacitor (V)
  • t is the time elapsed since the start of the discharge (seconds)
  • R is the resistance in the circuit (ohms)
  • C is the capacitance of the capacitor (farads)

To calculate the output voltage of a capacitor, multiply the initial voltage by the exponential of the negative time divided by the product of resistance and capacitance.

What is Capacitor Output Voltage?

Capacitor output voltage refers to the voltage across a capacitor at a specific time during its discharge through a resistor. It is a critical parameter in electronic circuits, especially in timing and filtering applications. The output voltage decreases over time as the capacitor releases its stored energy through the resistor.

How to Calculate Capacitor Output Voltage?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Capacitor Output Voltage.

  1. First, determine the initial voltage across the capacitor (V₀) in volts.
  2. Next, determine the time elapsed since the start of the discharge (t) in seconds.
  3. Next, determine the resistance in the circuit (R) in ohms.
  4. Next, determine the capacitance of the capacitor (C) in farads.
  5. Next, gather the formula from above = V(t) = V₀ * e^(-t / (R * C)).
  6. Finally, calculate the Capacitor Output Voltage (V(t)) in volts.
  7. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Initial voltage across the capacitor (V₀) = 5 volts

Time elapsed since the start of the discharge (t) = 10 seconds

Resistance in the circuit (R) = 1000 ohms

Capacitance of the capacitor (C) = 0.001 farads