When does current in a capacitor move?

Study for the NEAT 3-1 Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

In a capacitor, current flows in response to the charging or discharging process. When the capacitor is connected to a voltage source, it charges up by accumulating electric charge on its plates, and during this charging phase, current moves into the capacitor. Similarly, when the capacitor is connected in a circuit that allows it to discharge, the stored energy is released, and current flows out of the capacitor. Thus, the movement of current occurs specifically during these two distinct phases—charging and discharging—rather than continuously or in a steady-state condition. In steady-state operation, after a capacitor is fully charged, no current flows through it as it acts like an open circuit. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the specific conditions under which current actually moves in a capacitor.

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