A resistor is in series with a capacitor and a battery

PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Electric Circuits · Electric Circuits

Problem

A resistor

R = 200\,\Omega

is in series with a capacitor

C_1 = 8.0\,\mu\text{F}

and a battery. A switch can connect an additional capacitor

C_2 = 4.0\,\mu\text{F}

in parallel with

C_1

. When the switch is open, the circuit contains only

C_1

; when it is closed, both capacitors are present. By what factor does the RC time constant change when the switch is closed? (a)

1.5

(b)

0.67

(c)

0.33

(d)

2.0