in an r-c circuit, a resistor, an uncharged capacitor, a dc battery, and an open switch are in series. in an r-l circuit, a resistor, an inductor, a dc battery, and an open switch are in series. compare the behavior of the current in these circuits (a) just after the switch is closed and (b) long after the switch has been closed. in other words, compare the way in which a capacitor and an inductor affect a circuit.