---
title: "A circuit consists of an ideal battery of voltage \\(V_0\\), an open switch \\(S\\), and three identical resistors of resistance \\(R\\), arranged as shown. Resistor \\(R_1\\) is in series with the battery, while resistors \\(R_2\\) and \\(R_3\\) form two parallel branches, with an uncharged capacitor of capacitance \\(C\\) connected in series with \\(R_3\\). At time \\(t = 0\\), switch \\(S\\) is closed. Which of the following graphs best represents the current \\(I_2\\) through resistor \\(R_2\\) as a function of time \\(t\\)?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/118477/"
date_modified: "2026-08-04T08:10:34+00:00"
---

# A circuit consists of an ideal battery of voltage \(V_0\), an open switch \(S\), and three identical resistors of resistance \(R\), arranged as shown. Resistor \(R_1\) is in series with the battery, while resistors \(R_2\) and \(R_3\) form two parallel branches, with an uncharged capacitor of capacitance \(C\) connected in series with \(R_3\). At time \(t = 0\), switch \(S\) is closed. Which of the following graphs best represents the current \(I_2\) through resistor \(R_2\) as a function of time \(t\)?

A circuit consists of an ideal battery of voltage \(V_0\), an open switch \(S\), and three identical resistors of resistance \(R\), arranged as shown. Resistor \(R_1\) is in series with the battery, while resistors \(R_2\) and \(R_3\) form two parallel branches, with an uncharged capacitor of capacitance \(C\) connected in series with \(R_3\). At time \(t = 0\), switch \(S\) is closed. Which of the following graphs best represents the current \(I_2\) through resistor \(R_2\) as a function of time \(t\)?

![A schematic circuit diagram oriented horizontally. On the left vertical branch is an ideal DC voltage source labeled V_0 with its positive terminal at top. The top horizontal wire contains an open switch labeled S followed by resistor R_1. The wire then splits at a junction node into two parallel vertical branches. The middle vertical branch contains resistor R_2 with a downward arrow labeled I_2 alongside it. The rightmost vertical branch contains resistor R_3 in series with a parallel-plate capacitor C below it. Both vertical branches reconnect at a bottom horizontal wire returning to the negative terminal of the voltage source. No other components or labels appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-circuit-diag-1785831033-knsdfB.jpg)

- **A.** Graph A
- **B.** Graph B
- **C.** Graph C
- **D.** Graph D

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/118477/*