The steady-state voltage across a capacitor in an RC circuit refers to the voltage across the capacitor after a long time has passed since the circuit was connected to a constant voltage source.
Explanation:
- When the capacitor is initially uncharged and the circuit is connected to a DC voltage source, the capacitor starts charging through the resistor.
- As time passes, the capacitor voltage increases gradually.
- Eventually, the capacitor becomes fully charged and stops charging because it acts like an open circuit to DC.
- At this steady state (long time after connection), the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the applied voltage from the source.
Summary:
- Steady-state voltage across the capacitor = Supply voltage (V₀)
- The current in the circuit becomes zero because the capacitor blocks DC after being fully charged.
In short:
After a long time, the capacitor in an RC circuit charges up to the full supply voltage, and the voltage across it remains constant at that value.