Group: 6 Date performed: Feb.

14, 2020
Student/s: Bagunas, Arthur R. Date submitted: Feb. 20, 2020
Hermosisima, Evelyn I.
Singculan, Yuan Y.
Block & Schedule: S7, F 07:30-10:30 (ES001) Name of instructor: Mr.
Ramirez, Reagan

Worksheet
Experiment 7: Discharging and Charging Capacitors

Step A8. Discharging of the 500μF capacitor Step B4. Charging of the 500μF capacitor

a = 4.33 b = -1.23 a = 04.29 b = -1.22

c = 0.00656 τ = 0.813 c = 4.93 τ = 0.825

Step C4. Capacitance of the unknown capacitor C from the time constant τ.
a = -4.34 b = -0.651 c = 4.92 τ = 153609831

Solution for the value of the unknown capacitance of C:

𝑇 153609831
R = 1500 𝐶= = = 1024 μF
𝑅 1,500 𝛺

Step C8.
• From the time constant τ of the combined capacitors in series, determine the
total capacitance.
a = -4.30 b = -2.00 c = 4.93
a = 4.43 b = -1.99 c = 0.006

𝑏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = -1.995
−1 −1
Τ= = = 0.05012531328
𝑏 −1.995

0.05012531328
𝐶𝑇 = = 334 μF
1,500
 • From the values obtained in the experiment, show the relationship of the
individual capacitances to the total capacitance when capacitors are connected
in series.

1 1 1
=𝐶 +𝐶
𝐶𝑇 1 2
1 1 1
-> = +
334μF 500μF 1024μF
-> 0.00299401976 = 0.0029765625

Therefore, the values are more or less the same. The value of the total
capacitance is less than the value of any one of the “series capacitors” individual
capacitances.

• Compare the total capacitance to individual capacitances when capacitors are

connected in series?

When capacitors are connected in series, the total capacitance is less than the
individual capacitances.

Step C13.
• From the time constant τ of the combined capacitors in parallel, determine the
total capacitance.

b = -0.442291216213017
b = -0.443273492085681
𝑏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = -0.4427848541

−1 −1
Τ= = = 2.25843316622
𝑏 −0.4427848541

2.25843316622
𝐶𝑇 = = 1507 μF
1,500

• From the values obtained in the experiment, show the relationship of the
individual capacitances to the total capacitance when capacitors are connected
in parallel.

𝐶𝑇 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2

-> 1507 μF = 500 μF + 1024 μF

-> 1507 μF = 1524 μF

The value of total capacitance is almost equal to the sum of the individual
capacitances.
• Compare the total capacitance to individual capacitances when capacitors are
connected in parallel?

The value of the total capacitance when connected in parallel is almost equal to
the two individual capacitances added.

• Compare the discharging curves of the capacitors in Graph 1. What happens to

the discharging process as the total capacitance of the circuit increases? Why?

The discharging curve of a series (red) is the steepest because it discharges

the fastest. The discharging curve of a parallel (blue) is the least steep
because it takes more time to discharge.

As the total capacitance of the circuit increases, the discharging process will
take a longer time. As charge flows from one plate to the other through the
resistor, the charge is neutralized so the current falls and the rate of decrease
of potential difference also falls. The bigger the resistance, the longer time
taken.

• Compare the charging curves of the capacitors in Graph 2. What happens to the
charging process as the total capacitance of the circuit increases? Why?

The charging curve of a series (red) is the steepest since it is the fastest to
charge. The charging curve of a parallel circuit is more gradual because it takes
more time to charge.

As the total capacitance of the circuit increases, the charging process takes a
longer time. As capacitance increases, the more the voltage to which the
capacitor can be charges, thus the current will further decrease. It will need
more time to charge to reach the value needed.
Graph 1. Capacitor Discharging Curve

Graph 2. Capacitor Charging Curve