ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

RLC circuit

An RLC circuit is like a toy that plays with electricity. It's made up of three different parts: a resistor, an inductor, and a capacitor. Think of a resistor like a skinny pipe that makes it hard for electricity to flow through. An inductor is like a spring that can store electricity. And a capacitor is like a battery that can also store electricity.

When you turn on the RLC circuit, the electricity flows through the resistor, but it has a hard time getting through. This causes the electricity to slow down and lose some of its energy. Then it goes through the inductor, which holds onto some of the electricity as a kind of energy. Then it goes through the capacitor, which also stores some electricity.

The electricity keeps bouncing back and forth between the inductor and capacitor, and this causes the circuit to keep going. It's like a game of hot potato, except with electricity. Eventually, though, the energy in the circuit gets used up, and the RLC circuit stops working until you turn it on again.
Related topics others have asked about: