---
title: "An uncharged capacitor of capacitance \\(C = 4.0\\text{ }\\mu\\text{F}\\) is connected in series with a resistor of resistance \\(R = 50\\text{ k}\\Omega\\), an open switch \\(S\\), and an ideal battery of electromotive force \\(\\mathcal{E} = 12\\text{ V}\\). At time \\(t = 0\\), switch \\(S\\) is closed. Which of the following correctly states the maximum current in the circuit immediately after the switch is closed and provides the correct physical reasoning?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/117199/"
date_modified: "2026-08-04T06:44:58+00:00"
---

# An uncharged capacitor of capacitance \(C = 4.0\text{ }\mu\text{F}\) is connected in series with a resistor of resistance \(R = 50\text{ k}\Omega\), an open switch \(S\), and an ideal battery of electromotive force \(\mathcal{E} = 12\text{ V}\). At time \(t = 0\), switch \(S\) is closed. Which of the following correctly states the maximum current in the circuit immediately after the switch is closed and provides the correct physical reasoning?

An uncharged capacitor of capacitance \(C = 4.0\text{ }\mu\text{F}\) is connected in series with a resistor of resistance \(R = 50\text{ k}\Omega\), an open switch \(S\), and an ideal battery of electromotive force \(\mathcal{E} = 12\text{ V}\). At time \(t = 0\), switch \(S\) is closed. Which of the following correctly states the maximum current in the circuit immediately after the switch is closed and provides the correct physical reasoning?

![A schematic diagram of a single-loop series circuit. The left vertical branch contains an ideal battery labeled \(\mathcal{E} = 12\text{ V}\) with its positive terminal pointing upward. The top horizontal branch contains an open switch labeled S. The right vertical branch contains a resistor labeled \(R = 50\text{ k}\Omega\). The bottom horizontal branch contains an uncharged parallel-plate capacitor labeled \(C = 4.0\text{ }\mu\text{F}\). Wire connections complete the single continuous loop.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1785825897-gRNm6S.jpg)

- **A.** \(0.12\text{ mA}\), because the uncharged capacitor and the resistor split the battery's potential difference equally at \(t = 0\).
- **B.** \(0.24\text{ mA}\), because the uncharged capacitor has zero initial potential difference across its plates, leaving the battery's entire potential difference across the resistor.
- **C.** \(0.24\text{ mA}\), because the uncharged capacitor acts as an open circuit that allows charge to flow unimpeded through the loop.
- **D.** \(0\text{ mA}\), because an uncharged capacitor opposes the initial flow of charge until a potential difference builds up across its plates.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/117199/*