Phase Differences Between Current and Voltage for Resistors, Capacitors and Inductors

The voltage across a resistor and the current through a resistor are in phase.

The current though a capacitor leads the voltage across the capacitor byof a cycle orThe voltage across the capacitor is proportional to the charge on it. Current must flow BEFORE the charge can start to increase.

The voltage across an inductor leads the current through an inductor byof a cycle orCurrent through the inductor forces a back EMF which opposes the changing current.