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Set-up Instructions for E&M: C - 19

Equipment Locations

Item(s)Location
9-V BatterySet 3, Cabinet 3, Shelf 4
Capacitor
Light Bulb
DSO Digital Interface TLC Desk
Picoscope Digital Interface
Lecture Demo Laptop
Wires 

Set-up Instructions:

1. Place battery, lightbulb, and capacitor in series (as shown in the photos below):

RC Series Circuit with DSO Oscilloscope      RC Series Circuit with the Picoscope

2. Connect the oscilloscope across the capacitor.

3. If using the DSO Digital Oscilloscope, connect to the Windows 7 computer and check the following settings: 5V, 20s, DC

4. If using the Picoscope Digital Oscilloscope, connect to Windows 10 computer and check the following settings: +/-10V, 20s/div, DC

5. TEST prior to sending into lecture hall.  You should see curves similar to those listed below:

Image produced from DSO Oscilloscope      Image from picoscope

6.  Final set-up should have a capacitor that is completely discharged, with the circuit incomplete.


To compare charge/discharge curves, add a second complete circuit with an oscilloscope connected across the capacitor - use channel 2 (or channel B).