Time constant

In an electrical circuit composed of a constant voltage source, E, in series with a resistance, R, and a condenser (capacitor), C, theory indicates that the response of the circuit to a voltage step, E, is a curve of exponential nature.

The exponential form is directly related to the values ​​of R and C. Specifically the RC product that is homogeneous to a time (in seconds). τ = RC is called the time constant of the circuit.  This is an indicator of the rate of change in the circuit experiencing a disturbance (by a voltage step).  The smaller the value, the more rapidly steady state will be reached. The observation of the curve of voltage, or even the current, can approach the value of the time constant as illustrated in the animation.