Charging or discharging an RC circuit?
Connect Kirchhoff’s voltage law, initial conditions and the expressions for uC(t) and i(t), then revisit the derivative.
Selected excerpts, shortened and reworded for readability. English and Tounsi versions are translated. Omitted turns are not shown.
How was i(t) determined?
Start with q = C uC and i = dq/dt. Since C is constant, i = C duC/dt. During charging, uC(t) = E(1 − exp(−t/τ)), whose derivative is (E/τ) exp(−t/τ). Substituting τ = RC gives i(t) = (E/R) exp(−t/τ).
Read follow-up questions and replies
I struggle with differentiation.
Revisit the rule: the derivative of exp(at + b) is a × exp(at + b). In E exp(−t/τ), E is constant and a = −1/τ. The derivative is −(E/τ) exp(−t/τ). First practise with 5 exp(−2t).