4
7.1
The Source-Free
RC Circuit (2)
RC Circuit (2)
•The natural
response of a circuit refers to the
behavior (in terms of voltages
and currents) of the circuit itself, with
no external sources of
excitation.
•The time constant t of a circuit is the
time required for the response to
decay by a factor of 1/e or 36.8% of its initial value.
• v decays faster for small t and slower
for large t.
Time constant
Decays more slowly
Decays faster