Re: RC circuits lab

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@HEP.ANL.GOV>]

Hi Justin-
        I just made a great discovery while preparing a demo.  You can
put a charge on a capacitor (preferably ceramic) using scotch tape.  Then
measure the votage with a digital voltmeter.  Never mind that the students
are advanced; this is an easy way to let them see that a capacitor stores
charge.
                                        Regards,
                                                Jack
On Mon, 5 Mar 2001, Justin Parke wrote:

> Can someone refer me to a good lab I can do with Advanced Placement (C) physics students for RC circuits?  I want them to measure current and voltage several times as a capacitor charges/discharges and obtain the exponential curves which we can then fit and derive the proper equations.
>
> My main problem is my lack of experience with these type of circuits so that I do not know which combinations of resistance, capacitance, and applied voltage provide the proper charging time, etc.  I blew up a capacitor the other day while I was playing in the lab (and supplies are limited!)
>
> Perhaps some of you have written something of your own you could share with me, or refer me to some website.
>
> Thanks
>
> Justin Parke
> Oakland Mills High School

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