Current after (1) time constant in RC circuits

[rotiff]

Homework Statement

Maximum current:
I max = 4.62 * 10^-4 A

Time constant of circuit:
T = 3.9 seconds

Homework Equations

T= RC

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm trying to find the current after 1 time constant. Seems simple enough, the current changes by 63%. So (Imax)-(Imax * 0.63) or basically I max * 0.37

But the teacher just took I max * 0.63 ! I thought it CHANGES by 63% not simply 63% of the original value!

I looked it up and all websites agree that the current after 1 time constant will be 0.37 of it's maximum value, hence a change of 63%!
http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/rc/rc_1.html

Has the teacher made a mistake? I have deeply confused myself over a simple thought. Please help.

 

[gneill]

The form of the equation is
[tex] I(t) = I_o e^{-t/\tau}[/tex]
You're interested in the value of I(t) for various times that are multiples of [itex]\tau[/itex]. Easy-peasy. Just divide I_o by e¹, e², etc.. As you suspect, after the first time constant period the value drops to 36.8% of its initial value (1/e).