Identifier:
E&M: C - 019
Concept Overview:
- Voltage vs. Time curve for the charge and discharge of a capacitor in series with a 9V battery and a light bulb.
- Comparison of curves for 2 different capacitors to show the difference in time constants.
Lecturer Procedure
| Step(s) to Follow | Expected Result |
|---|---|
| 1. Complete the circuit by connecting the red wire to the battery. | Capacitor will begin to charge, lightbulb will get dimmer as the y-value increases:
|
| 2. After the graph has flat-lined, remove the red wire from the battery and connect it to the capacitor. | Capacitor will discharge, lightbulb will get dimmer as the y-value decreases
|
For an added variation, a second circuit can be included for comparison to show the difference in charging and discharging curves with different capacitors.
Tutorial:
Set-up Instructions for E&M: C - 19