College of Engineering

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

LABORATORY REPORT NO. 5

FOR

LABORATORY EXERCISE NO. 5

ANALYZING A SERIES RESISTOR-CAPACITOR CIRCUIT

PAGTAKHAN,JAKE RENZON B

BSME – 2B

MARK ROBIN E. SILVA, REE

INSTRUCTOR

AC6 – BASIC ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

LABORATORY EXERCISE 5
Analysing a Series Resistor-Capacitor Circuit
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Objectives:
1. To develop an understanding for the behavior of RC Circuit
2. To understand the concept of a time constant Theoretical
Discussion:
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Laboratory Equipment

1 set Digital/Analog Multimeter

1 pc Breadboard

2 pcs Resistors
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Connecting wires

1 set 9 V Battery with battery cap

1 pc ceramic capacitor

1 switch

Timer

Procedure:

1. Before assembling the RC Circuit, use the ohmmeter to measure the resistances of the
two resistors that you will use.
2. Read the capacitor label to find out the capacitance of the capacitor. This is an estimate
of the actual value. You will determine the actual capacitance as part of the experiment.
Calculate what the time constant should roughly be from your values of resistance and
capacitance.
3. Assemble the following circuit with the smallest of your resistors. Take note of the
capacitors polarity.

4. Connect the voltmeter to read the voltage across the capacitor and then use the switch
to charge up the capacitor. Record the voltage across the capacitor every second until it
reaches the power supply voltage after the switch is on. Watch the voltmeter and verify
that the voltage across the capacitor is increasing, and the rough timescale. If the
voltage does not ever reach near the power supply voltage, you probably need to turn
the capacitor around.
5. Now turn the switch off. You should see the voltage across the capacitor slowly
decreasing as the charge leaks off.
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6. Now, discharge the capacitor by shorting using connecting wire and watch the voltage
decreases. Record the voltage across the capacitor every second until it reaches the 0 V
after shorting the capacitor and resistor.

7. Repeat the process for the other resistor.

Observation Table:

a. First Resistor
Resistance of First Voltage across the Voltage across the
Resistor: Capacitor during Capacitor during
charging discharging
t=0s 0V 7.56 V
t=1s 0.02 V 4.92 V
t=2s 0.06 V 1.78 V
t=3s 7.56V 0.02 V
t=4s 7.56 V 0.00 V
b. Second Resistor
Resistance of First Voltage across the Voltage across the
Resistor: Capacitor during Capacitor during
charging discharging
t=0s 0V 7.31 V
t=1s 0.02 V 5.83 V
t=2s 1.96 V 0.20 V
t=3s 7.17 V 0.01V
t=4s 7.31 V 0.00 V
Draw the graph of Voltage vs Time for each series RC Circuit.
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Calculations:

Show the computation of voltage across the capacitor during charging and discharging at t=5
seconds. Note that the time constant τ = RC.

A. First Resistor

B. Second Resistor

Conclusion:
What are your conclusions to this activity?
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I conclude that the resistance of a resistor linked in a series to a resistor is,

consequently. The pace at which the capacitor is charged and discharged is influenced
by the capacitor's size. The capacitor's charging and discharging is slow due to the high
resistance of the resistor.
Attachments:
Provide attachments photos.
Voltage of a battery

1st resistor 100 ohms

Charging

Discharging
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2nd Resistor 220 ohms

Charging
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Discharging