Question Detail

PHY 102 Current Electricity Objective Question

Question

A 10 MΩ resistor is connected in series with a 1.0 µF uncharged capacitor and a battery. What is the time constant of this circuit?
Options
A 0.1 seconds
B 1.0 seconds
C 10 seconds
Correct Answer
D 100 seconds
Correct Answer

Option C is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

The time constant τ is calculated as τ = RC. Given R = 10 MΩ = 10 × 10⁶ Ω and C = 1.0 µF = 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ F, then τ = (10 × 10⁶ Ω) × (1.0 × 10⁻⁶ F) = 10 seconds. This calculation is also shown on page 26.

Hint

Remember to convert Mega-ohms (MΩ) and micro-farads (µF) to their base SI units (ohms and farads) before calculation.

Question Info