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An electrical circuit with a capacitor of capacitance \(C\) and a series resistor with resistance \(R\). A specified source voltage \(U_0\) is used to charge the capacitor when the switch is closed. If, on the other hand, the switch is opened, then the capacitor is short-circuited and discharges. It causes a discharge current \( I(t) \) to flow through the circuit, which decreases exponentially.
The time-dependent voltage \( U_{\text C}(t) \) is measured across the capacitor. This follows an exponential curve as the capacitor discharges:\[ U_{\text C}(t) ~=~ U_0 \, \mathrm{e}^{-\frac{t}{R\,C} } \]