Determining Horizontal Sweep for RC Circuit Time Constant - Physics Lab

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a series RC circuit involving a resistor and capacitor, focusing on determining the horizontal sweep setting on an oscilloscope to visualize the time constant of the circuit. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the relationship between the time constant and the oscilloscope settings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how to set the horizontal sweep on the oscilloscope based on the time constant of the RC circuit. Some participants suggest looking up the characteristic time for an RC circuit, indicating a potential formula to apply. Others express uncertainty about the guidance provided, questioning the clarity of the instructions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the relationship between the time constant and oscilloscope settings. Some guidance has been offered regarding looking up relevant formulas, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take, and the original poster continues to seek clarification.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that they are addressing this lab topic before it has been covered in their lecture, which may contribute to their confusion and the need for further clarification on the concepts involved.

AGGENGR
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
Warning! Posting template must be used for homework questions.
Consider a series RC circuit with an
R = 3.0 Ω
and a capacitance of 12 µF being charged to a voltage of 5.0 V. (Note, you will not include units in your answers.)

If you wished the charging of this capacitor to have a vertical displacement of 4.0 DIV from 0 charge to fully charged, what value must you set the vertical gain on the oscilloscope to achieve this?
- FOUND THIS ONE: 1.25 V/DIV

What is the value of the horizontal sweep that you would need to use if you wished the characteristic time constant of this circuit to span 2.0 DIV on the oscilloscope screen?
-LOST HERE.

So i am having trouble understanding the last part and am down to one try...we are also doing this lab BEFORE having covered this in lecture soo I am kinda lost...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Look up characteristic time for an RC circuit. It is a simple formula, use it and the second part is very similar to the first part.
 
mfb said:
Look up characteristic time for an RC circuit. It is a simple formula, use it and the second part is very similar to the first part.
I tried looking this up but am not sure what you mean?

Again we just started RC Circuits so I am a little lost..
 
The characteristic time is related to the time constant of the RC circuit.
 
thanks!
 

Similar threads

Understanding Oscilloscopes: How Can We Use Them to Measure RC Circuits?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
7K
Time Constant, Maximum Charge, and Current in an RC Circuit
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Voltage across resistors in RC circuit
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Entropy change in an RC circuit
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Changing capacitance effect on ripple in full rectification circuit
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Solving RC & RL Circuits Homework
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Solving an RC circuit using explicit euler
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Energy dissipated in the resistors in a 2 mesh RC circuit
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
How to find magnetic field in a square coil next to an RC circuit
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Basic RC Circuit Homework: Calculate Time Constant & Charge Decay
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K