RC Circuits: J H U, P A

J OHNS H OPKINS U NIVERSITY, P HYSICS AND A STRONOMY
AS.173.112 G ENERAL P HYSICS L ABORATORY II
RC Circuits
1
I NTRODUCTION
In this lab, we will analyze the behavior of resistors and capacitors in time-dependent alternating current (AC) circuits.
L EARNING O BJECTIVES
In this lab you will:

Build RC circuits using resistors and capacitors.
Learn to use an oscilloscope to measure time-dependent signals in a circuit.
Observe how various electrical components behave when subject to a time-dependent voltage.
B ACKGROUND
The voltage output of an ideal battery or a direct current (DC) power supply does not vary with time.
Function generators like the electricity that we get from the outlets in our homes produce electric potentials that oscillate periodically with time. Time-dependent potentials produce time-dependent currents and are often referred to as alternating current (or AC) systems.
The function generators that are used in this lab are capable of producing square, triangular, or sinusoidal
potentials with frequencies as high as 5 million cycles per second (5 MHz) and a maximum peak-to-peak
voltage of about 23V.
There are several ways to characterize the amplitude of an AC potential. One of the most practical ways
is to measure the peak-to-peak (Vpkpk or Vpp ) value. Vpp is the difference between the maximum and
minimum points of an AC waveform as shown in Figure 3.1. On the oscilloscope, the peak-to-peak measurement can be made using cursor function.
3.1
C HARGING A C APACITOR
An initially discharged capacitor begins to charge when it is connected to a constant potential Vo . The
potential across the capacitor as a function of time is given by:
VC (t ) = Vo (1 e t /RC ).
Revised: Wednesday 31st August, 2016 12:12
(3.1)
2014 J. Reid Mumford
Vpp
t
Figure 3.1: Peak-to-peak amplitude is the difference between the maximum and minimum points on a
waveform.
The product RC is referred to as the capacitive time constant and is represented by:
= RC .
(3.2)
When a capacitor discharges from a potential V the potential across the capacitor as a function of time
is given by:
VC (t ) = V e t /RC .
(3.3)
The charge (and discharge) times of an RC circuit are both characterized by the exponential function
and the time constant . In a charging capacitor, the potential asymptotically approaches the maximum
potential as shown in Figure 3.2. The fraction of the maximum potential as a function of time is given in
Table 3.1. After a time of t = , the capacitor is 63% charged; after a time of t = 5 the capacitor is 99%
charged.
V
Vo
VC (t) = Vo (1 et/RC )
RC
5RC
Figure 3.2: The potential as a function of time for an originally discharged capacitor. Note how the potential asymptotically approaches the applied voltage Vo over time.
t = n
Fraction of Vo
0
1
2
3
4
5
0
0.63
0.86
0.95
0.98
0.99
Table 3.1: Comparison of potential across a charging capacitor as a function of time: VC (t ) = Vo (1 e t / ).

The fraction of Vo is given by evaluating 1 e t / .
3.2
RC C IRCUITS AS F ILTERS
Capacitors are often used in circuits as filters. The parameter can be finely tuned to obtain the desired
capacitive time constant. Depending on the configuration, a series resistor and capacitor (RC) circuit can
be used to preferentially allow high (high-pass) or low (low-pass) frequencies to pass. Examples of high
and low-pass circuit filter configurations are shown in Figure 3.3. At high frequencies, very little potential
is dropped across a capacitor; the capacitor tends to behave like a short.
Vin
Vout
Vin
(a) High-pass
Vout
(b) Low-pass
Figure 3.3: High and low pass RC circuits.
P ROCEDURE
Note: When assembling your circuits it is particularly important that the oscilloscope
and the function generator share the same ground (as shown in the circuit schematics).
This means that the negative terminals of the oscilloscope and the function generator probes
must be directly connected.
4.1
RC C IRCUIT T IME C ONSTANT
Using the resistor and capacitor combination found in the Pre-lab Quiz, construct a low-pass circuit, like
the one shown in Figure 3.3b.
Drive the circuit with a Vi n ' 10 V. peak-to-peak square wave.
Use two probes to compare the input voltage, Vi n , from the function generator with the voltage measured
across the capacitor, Vout .
Scan through a range of input frequencies and observe the effect on the output signal, Vout . Answer the
following questions. Include oscilloscope screen shots when appropriate to support your answers.
What is the theoretical time constant for the resistor and capacitor combination used to build the
circuit?
Measure the observed time constant, , using the method you described in the Pre-lab Quiz. Use
Figure 3.2 and Table 3.1 to relate the time measured on the oscilloscope to .
What does the output signal, Vout , look like at very low frequencies? Very high frequencies?
4.2
RC C IRCUIT F REQUENCY R ESPONSE
In this section, you will measure the frequency response of two RC circuits:
1. A low-pass circuit with your choice of resistor and capacitor (like that built in the previous section).
2. A high-pass circuit with your choice of resistor and capacitor.
For each circuit, calculate the time constant (Equation 3.2).
Drive each circuit with a Vi n ' 10 V, peak-to-peak sinusoidal signal.
Use two probes to compare the voltage at the function generator, Vi n (on channel 1 on the oscilloscope),
with the voltage measured, Vout (on channel 2 on the oscilloscope), across the capacitor (low-pass circuit) or resistor (high-pass circuit).
Characterize the frequency response of each circuit by creating a plot of Vout /Vi n as a function of input
frequency over a wide frequency range. Because you will be sampling over a wide range of frequencies, it
may be most effective to plot the logarithm of the input frequency, log10 ( f ), on the x-axis.
How do changes in frequency affect the output of the RC circuit? Describe what you observe.
How does the observed frequency response relate to the time constant for your circuit?
Discuss your findings as they relate to RC circuits as filters (see Section 3.2).
L AB R EPORT
Write a lab report to record and communicate your work. Your report should address the following ideas:
Experiment Purpose and Design
In your own words, state the purpose of this experiment.
In a couple of sentences, describe how you will use the available equipment to make your
measurements. Include pictures or diagrams as appropriate.
Data Collection and Calculations
List the quantities you measured directly in this experiment.
Demonstrate calculations where measured quantities are used to compute other quantities
of interest.
Presentation and Analysis
Present the data you collected in organized tables.
Analyze your data using insightful and well-formatted plot(s).
Demonstrate how your plot is used to determine quantities of interest.
Results
Identify and clearly state the final result(s) of your experiment.
Uncertainty and Error Propagation

Identify and discuss sources of uncertainty in your experiment.
Demonstrate error propagation calculations used to quantify the uncertainty associated with
your measurements.
Discussion
Do your results agree with what you expected to see before you started the experiment?
Interpret your results. What are you able to conclude from your data? Describe how your
conclusions relate to the physical principles being studied.
List at least one improvement you would make if you were to repeat the experiment.
Answers to Inline Questions
Include answers to specific inline questions as appropriate to the laboratory activity.

RC Circuits: J H U, P A

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

RC Circuits: J H U, P A

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

RC Circuits: J H U, P A

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

J OHNS H OPKINS U NIVERSITY, P HYSICS AND A STRONOMY

AS.173.112 G ENERAL P HYSICS L ABORATORY II

In this lab you will:

Revised: Wednesday 31st August, 2016 12:12

2014 J. Reid Mumford

Table 3.1: Comparison of potential across a charging capacitor as a function of time: VC (t ) = Vo (1 e t / ).

Figure 3.3: High and low pass RC circuits.

RC C IRCUIT T IME C ONSTANT

RC C IRCUIT F REQUENCY R ESPONSE

Uncertainty and Error Propagation

You might also like