What reading indicates that an ohmmeter is connected across a large, discharged capacitor?

• A. Zero resistance
• B. Constant resistance
• C. Decreasing resistance over time
• D. Increasing resistance with time

Answer: (D)

When an ohmmeter is connected across a large, discharged capacitor, the reading you will observe is increasing resistance over time. Initially, when the ohmmeter contacts the capacitor, it may show a lower resistance value because the capacitor can briefly conduct current as it starts to charge from the meter's internal battery. However, as time progresses, the capacitor accumulates charge, and the current flow decreases, which results in an increasing resistance reading until the capacitor is fully charged.

This behavior is characteristic of capacitors because they resist direct current flow, but upon connection to a power source or meter, they will initially allow some charge to flow, creating a brief period of low resistance that subsequently increases as the charge builds up and the capacitor approaches its maximum voltage. This phenomenon contrasts with what you would observe if you were measuring a resistor or an intact circuit, where the resistance would typically remain constant or show a steady state without the time-dependent behavior seen with capacitors.