There is another method to find the time constant RC. For a discharging capacitor its voltage can be expressed as V(t)= Vo e^(-t/RC). When time t = RC, V = Vo e-1 = Vo (0.368). If we have a discharging curve, we follow the curve to the point where the voltage is equal to 0.368Vo . The time corresponding to 0.386Vo is the time constant, τ = RC. Use your voltage data for R 1 = 10 kΩ and determine the time constant. Show your work. 1. For all practical purposes, a capacitor is considered fully discharged (or fully charged) after 5 time constants. What is the voltage across a discharging capacitor in a RC circuit that has Vo = 10V, and t = 5 τ seconds? Show your work 2. What is the purpose of finding τ in a RC circuit? 3. In the virtual simulation, the light bulb is a nice visual indicator of the behavior of a discharging series RC circuit. However, explain why is it easier to find C using a resistor instead of a Light Bulb. (Hint: Think about your light bulb measurements from the Basic Electrical Measurements lab.)