Experiment 4: Voltage Variations in an RC Circuit

Aim

To study the voltage variations across a capacitor in an RC circuit in series with an AC

source as well as obtaining the time constant of the circuit.

Apparatus

 Signal Generator
 Dual Trace Oscilloscope
 Capacitor
 Resistor
 Switch

Theory

One way to charge and discharge a series RC circuit is to use a DC source of electrical
potential such as a battery, and a switch for connecting and bypassing the battery.

In this experiment, a different approach is going to be used whereby the voltage will be
generated using the square wave output from the AC signal generator; the capacitor keeps
getting charged in every half cycle and discharged in the next half cycle. The extent of charge
flow through the capacitor and the voltage across it is a function of the time constant RC of
the circuit.

The curve formed is going to be analysed to obtain the time constant:

𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶

From the equations describing the capacitor voltage, it can be noticed that:

 For the charging process, when 𝑡 = 𝜏 the equation becomes:

𝑉𝑐 = 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 (1 − 𝑒 −1 )

When you put in the value of e, this will give:

𝑉𝑐 = 0.63𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥

 For the discharging process, at 𝑡 = 𝜏 the capacitor voltage drops by 0.63𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 and
becomes 0.37𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 .

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The circuit for the experiment is shown in Figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1: Set-up for Experiment

The voltage across the capacitor 𝑉𝑐 , is plotted in Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2: Voltage 𝑣𝑠 time

Procedure

Do not switch on the circuit until your connections have been checked by a supervisor

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 4.1.

2. Set the signal generator to produce a square wave.
1. Connect the signal generator output to channel 1 of the oscilloscope and adjust the
output control knob of the signal generator such that the output voltage is about 2𝑉
peak to peak. Adjust the 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡⁄𝐷𝑖𝑣 knob of the oscilloscope so that the display fills
the oscilloscope screen. Turn the variable (voltage) control knob of this channel so
that the CRO is calibrated to measure voltage.
2. Set the 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒/𝐷𝑖𝑣 to a suitable range so that two or three cycles of the signal are
visible on the screen. Turn the variable (time) control knob so that the CRO is
calibrated to measure time.
3. Connect the output across the capacitor to channel 2 of the oscilloscope and adjust the
positioning knobs of the oscilloscope such that the two traces are symmetrical. Sketch

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 the trace as accurately as possible in your lab book. Turn the variable (voltage)
control knob of this channel so that the CRO is calibrated to measure voltage.
4. Carefully estimate the location for 0.63Vmax point on the vertical axis, and find the
corresponding value of time on the horizontal axis. This will be your measured value
for time constant 𝜏 of the circuit. Record your data in a suitable manner.
3. With the same settings on the oscilloscope repeat the experiment for another set of
resistance and capacitance.
4. Use the values of R and C to calculate the value of RC for each set and record your
data in a suitable manner.

Results and Analysis

Tabulate all your results and errors, include units

For each set:

Determine the value for time constant(𝜏 ± ∆𝜏) from the graph (on the CRO screen) and
compare it to the one obtained through calculations (using the value of R determined by
colour codes and the printed value of C).

Discussions

Conclusions