---
title: "A capacitor of capacitance \\(C\\) is initially charged such that the electric potential difference between its plates is \\(V_0\\). At time \\(t = 0\\), an open switch is closed, connecting the capacitor directly in series with an ideal resistor of resistance \\(R\\) in a circuit containing no power source. Which of the following graphs best represents the magnitude of the potential difference across the resistor, \\(V_R\\), as a function of time \\(t\\) after the switch is closed?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120457/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T04:34:50+00:00"
---

# A capacitor of capacitance \(C\) is initially charged such that the electric potential difference between its plates is \(V_0\). At time \(t = 0\), an open switch is closed, connecting the capacitor directly in series with an ideal resistor of resistance \(R\) in a circuit containing no power source. Which of the following graphs best represents the magnitude of the potential difference across the resistor, \(V_R\), as a function of time \(t\) after the switch is closed?

A capacitor of capacitance \(C\) is initially charged such that the electric potential difference between its plates is \(V_0\). At time \(t = 0\), an open switch is closed, connecting the capacitor directly in series with an ideal resistor of resistance \(R\) in a circuit containing no power source. Which of the following graphs best represents the magnitude of the potential difference across the resistor, \(V_R\), as a function of time \(t\) after the switch is closed?

![A circuit schematic with rectangular wire loops. On the left vertical branch is a capacitor labeled \(C\), marked with an initial potential difference \(V_0\). On the top horizontal branch is a single-pole switch labeled \(S\) shown in the open position. On the right vertical branch is a resistor labeled \(R\). The bottom horizontal wire connects the resistor back to the capacitor, forming a single closed loop when the switch is closed. No battery or other power source is present. No other labels, text, or elements appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1787459689-RJqkGC.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/120457/*