RC AND RL CIRCUITS

Object:
To investigate how transient voltages and currents vary in resistor-capacitor
(RC) and resistor-inductor (RL) circuits.
Equipment:
Computer; PASCO Science Workshop (SW) 750 Interface; PASCO RLC
Circuit Board; digital multi-meter; and connecting wires.
Theory:
(A)

RC circuit:

VR
RR

V0

VC

RR

RR

Figure 1 RC circuit
When a DC voltage V0 is suddenly applied (at t=0) to an uncharged capacitor,
C, in series with a resistor R, the charge on the plates is given by:
t

q CV0 1 e c

The charge on the capacitor, q, increases, from it initial value of zero, to its final value
of CV0, asymptotically. The time characterizing this rate of increase is c (=RC), the
capacitive time constant of the circuit. The time it takes to charge the capacitor to half
its final value, t1/2 , is given by
t1/2 =c ln2.
The charge on the capacitor is given by: q=CVc, where Vc is the potential difference
across the capacitor. Thus, one can measure the charge on the capacitor, indirectly, by
measuring the potential difference across it.
The change of the charge is due to the current in the circuit, I , which is simply the
derivative of the charge on the capacitor with respect to time. Thus,
t

dq
I
(V0 / R )e c .
dt
This current can be measured, indirectly, by measuring VR = I R. One finally has:
t

VC V0 1 e c

and

V R V0 e

t
c

(B)

LR circuit:
VR
RR

RL

Vo

VL
RR

Figure 2 RL circuit
Similarly, when a DC voltage V0 is suddenly applied (at t=0) to an inductor, L, in
series with a resistor, R, the current in the circuit, I, is given by
t

I {V0 /( R R L )} 1 e L

Where RL is the wire resistance of the inductor. The current in the circuit increases,
from it initial value of zero, to its final value of V0/(R+RL), asymptotically. The time
characterizing this rate of increase is L =L/(R+RL), the inductive time constant of the
circuit and. The time it takes the current to reach half its final value, t1/2 , is given by
t1/2 =L ln2.
The voltages across the resistor, VR = I R becomes:
t

V R {V0 R /( R R L )} 1 e L

The current in the circuit can be measured, indirectly, by measuring the voltage across
the resistor, I= VR/R, while the voltage across the inductor VL = V0 VR is given by:

t
L

VL {V0R /(R RL )}e {V0RL /(R RL )}

At t=0, VL =V0, while at large t, the second term vanishes and VL = {V0 R L /( R R L )} .
Procedure & Analysis:
(A) RC circuit:
(1) Your PC and SW750 should be ON. If not, turn both ON.
(2) Double click on the Data Studio icon located on the Desktop, click on the
Open Activity and open the Activity RC in the PHYS 211L directory. Take
few minutes to study the windows that appear on your screen
(3) Connect the output of the SW 750 unit to the 330 F capacitor in series
with the 100 resistor, located on the PASCO RLC Circuit Board. Note
that you must short-circuit the inductor.

(4) Connect a Voltage Sensor to Analog input (A) on the SW 750. Connect the
banana plugs of the Sensor across the 330-F capacitor. This would allow
you to measure Vc as a function of time. Similarly, connect the second
Voltage Sensor to Analog input (B) on the SW 750. Connect the banana
plugs of the sensor across the 100- resistor. This would allow you to
measure VR as a function of time.
(5) Click on the Start button. The voltages across the capacitor and the
resistor will appear automatically on your screen.
(6) When the cursor is placed on the (V) or (t) units it changes into a
stretching tool which may be used to stretch the axes by simply dragging
the stretching tool. When the cursor is placed on the axes it turns into a
hand, which may be used to drag the graph so that different parts can be
examined. After the stretching and positioning, use the XY cursor to
measure t1/2. Repeat a few times and find the average value of c.
(7) Repeat Procedure A with the 100 and 330 F capacitors connected in
parallel.
(8) Disconnect the circuit.
(B) RL circuit:
(1) Click File, click Open Activity and open the Activity RL in the PHYS
211L directory. Take few minutes to study the windows that appear on
your screen
(2) Measure the resistance of the inductor, using the multi-meter.
(3) Connect the output of the SW 750 unit to the 8.2-mH inductor in series
with the 10- resistor, located on the PASCO RLC Circuit Board.
(4) Connect the banana plugs of Sensor (A) across the inductor. This would
allow you to measure VL as a function of time. Similarly, connect the
banana plugs of Sensor (B) across the resistor. This would allow you to
measure VR as a function of time.
(5) Click on the Start button. The voltages across the inductor and the resistor
will appear automatically on your screen.
(9) Stretch and move your graphs as desired. Use the XY cursor to measure
t1/2. Repeat a few times and find the average value of c.
(6) Place the iron rod in the inductor and repeat Procedure B. How is the value
of L affected by the iron rod?
(7) Disconnect the circuit.