Capacitors & RC Transients Lab
Switch between Q-V-C basics, capacitor networks, and RC transient graphs to train equivalent capacitance and exponential interpretation cleanly.
Learning goals
- Apply capacitance and capacitor-energy relationships.
- Combine capacitors in series and parallel.
- Analyse charging and discharging in RC circuits using the time constant.
A 1000 microfarad capacitor with a 4.70 kilohm resistor and a 6.0 volt cell; time constant 4.70 seconds. The switch is set to charge. At 0.0 seconds the capacitor p.d. is 0.00 volts and the current is 0.000 milliamps.
- VC
- 0.00 V
- I
- 0.000 mA
- Q₁
- 0 mC
- Q₂
- — mC
- Q
- 0 mC
- τ = RC
- 4.70 s
- Energy stored, ½CV²
- 0 mJ
Try this
0 of 4 doneCharge the capacitor from empty and pause when VC is 63% of E. (not done yet)
That moment is t = τ = RC. In every time constant the p.d. closes 63% of the gap to its final value.
Record five or more readings while the capacitor discharges. (not done yet)
ln VC against t is a straight line: its gradient is −1/RC, so the time constant is −1/gradient.
Connect two capacitors in series to give 75 μF. (not done yet)
In series 1/C = 1/C₁ + 1/C₂, so the combination is smaller than either capacitor, and both hold the same charge.
Charge two capacitors in parallel so that one stores three times the charge of the other. (not done yet)
In parallel both capacitors have the same p.d., so Q = CV divides the charge in proportion to capacitance.
Your readings
| # | t / s | VC / V | ln(VC / V) | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No readings yet. Set up a measurement, then record it. | ||||