E5B01: Time required: Term for the time required for the

Q: What is the term for the time required for the capacitor in an RC circuit to be charged to 63.2% of the applied voltage or to discharge to 36.8% of its initial voltage?

The correct answer is B: One time constant. The correct answer is B: One time constant. What is the term for the time required for the capacitor in an RC circuit to be charged to 63.2% of the applied voltage or to discharge to 36.8% of its initial voltage is one time constant. Time constant (τ = RC) is the time for 63.2% charge or 36.8% discharge. For amateur radio operators, this is important for circuit theory. Understanding this helps when working with RC circuits.

Updated: Dec 9, 2025 | Source: 2024-2028 Question Pool | Topic: E5B

E5B01E5B

What is the term for the time required for the capacitor in an RC circuit to be charged to 63.2% of the applied voltage or to discharge to 36.8% of its initial voltage?

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Deep Dive: E5B01

The correct answer is B: One time constant. What is the term for the time required for the capacitor in an RC circuit to be charged to 63.2% of the applied voltage or to discharge to 36.8% of its initial voltage is one time constant. Time constant (τ = RC) is the time for 63.2% charge or 36.8% discharge. For amateur radio operators, this is important for circuit theory. Understanding this helps when working with RC circuits.

Why Other Answers Are Wrong

Option A (An exponential rate of one): Incorrect. Exponential rate of one isn't the term - one time constant is the term. Exponential rate isn't the term. Option C (One exponential period): Incorrect. One exponential period isn't the term - one time constant is the term. Exponential period isn't the term. Option D (A time factor of one): Incorrect. Time factor of one isn't the term - one time constant is the term. Time factor isn't the term.

Exam Tip

Time for 63.2% charge or 36.8% discharge = one time constant. Think 'T'ime 'C'onstant = 'T'ime for '6'3.2%/'3'6.8%. Time constant (τ = RC) is the time for 63.2% charge or 36.8% discharge. Not exponential rate, not exponential period, not time factor - just one time constant.

Memory Aid

Time for 63.2% charge or 36.8% discharge = one time constant. Think 'T'ime 'C'onstant = '6'3.2%/'3'6.8%. Time constant (τ = RC) is the time for 63.2% charge or 36.8% discharge. Important for circuit theory.

Real-World Example

A capacitor in an RC circuit: The time required for it to be charged to 63.2% of the applied voltage or to discharge to 36.8% of its initial voltage is one time constant (τ = RC). This is the term - one time constant.

Source & Coverage

Question Pool: 2024-2028 Question Pool

Subelement: E5B

Reference: 2024-2028 Question Pool · E5 - Electrical Principles

Key Concepts

Time required Capacitor in RC circuit Charged to 63.2% Discharge to 36.8% One time constant

Verified Content

Question from the official FCC Extra Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the E5B topic.