Four circuits, A through D

PHYSICS · Subjective · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Electric Circuits · Electric Circuits

Problem

Four circuits, A through D, each use an ideal battery and only the components listed: resistors of values

R

and

2R

, and capacitors of values

C

and

2C

. • Circuit A: resistor

R

in series with capacitor

C

. • Circuit B: resistor

2R

in series with capacitor

C

. • Circuit C: resistor

R

in series with two capacitors

C

connected in series with each other. • Circuit D: two resistors

R

connected in parallel, in series with a single capacitor

2C

. List the circuits in order from the one that charges to

63\%

of its final value in the shortest time to the one that takes the longest time. Provide a concise justification for the ordering.