In this paper, an advanced undergraduate RC circuit is studied in two different ways. The circuit is
a typical series RC circuit with a time-varying voltage source. The temporal profile of the voltage
is an isolated, Gaussian shaped pulse. The voltage across the resistor as a function of time is
analysed using two different methods: deriving an analytical expression and an analysis in the
Laplace domain. An attempt is made to suggest and address common problems that students may have
with understanding such circuits. A qualitative physical interpretation of the circuit operation is
developed using Green’s function.