RC Circuits: Measuring Capacitance

In summary, an RC circuit is an electrical circuit that contains a resistor and a capacitor. Capacitance in an RC circuit can be measured using a multimeter or an oscilloscope, and is primarily affected by the physical properties of the capacitor and the resistance in the circuit. Capacitance plays a crucial role in the behavior of an RC circuit, determining the time constant and overall performance. Some practical applications of RC circuits include filtering, timing, and smoothing circuits, as well as in electronic devices and filters for communication and signal processing.
  • #1
amwil
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Homework Statement
To measure the capacitance C of a capacitor, you attach the capacitor to a battery and wait until it is fully charged. You then disconnect the capacitor from the battery and let it discharge through a resistor of resistance R. You measure the time T1/2 that it takes the voltage across the resistor to decrease to half its initial value at the instant that the connection to the capacitor is first completed. You repeat this for several different resistors. You plot the data as T1/2 versus R and find that they lie close to a straight line that has slope 4.00 μF.
What is the capacitance C of the capacitor?
Relevant Equations
T=RC
I thought that if the slope of the T versus R graph is 4.00μF, then the capacitance would be 4.00μF but it says that's wrong. I know I'm doing something wrong but I'm not sure how to approach this problem. Can someone help?
 
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  • #2
If you have measured the time constant ##\tau = RC## and plotted ##\tau## vs. R, you would indeed find the slope to correspond to ##C##, but you didn't measure ##\tau##. You measured ##T_{1/2}##. Try deriving an expression for ##T_{1/2}## in terms of ##R## and ##C##.
 
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FAQ: RC Circuits: Measuring Capacitance

1. What is an RC circuit?

An RC circuit is a circuit that contains a resistor (R) and a capacitor (C) connected in series or parallel. It is used to control the flow of current and store electrical energy.

2. How do you measure capacitance in an RC circuit?

The capacitance in an RC circuit can be measured by using a multimeter or an oscilloscope. First, the circuit is disconnected from the power source and the capacitor is discharged. Then, the multimeter is set to measure capacitance and connected to the capacitor. The value displayed on the multimeter is the capacitance of the capacitor.

3. What factors affect the capacitance in an RC circuit?

The capacitance in an RC circuit is affected by the surface area of the capacitor plates, the distance between the plates, and the material of the dielectric between the plates. The capacitance increases with an increase in surface area and decreases with an increase in distance between the plates. Different materials have different dielectric constants, which also affect the capacitance.

4. How does the time constant of an RC circuit affect the circuit's behavior?

The time constant of an RC circuit is the product of the resistance (R) and capacitance (C). It represents the time it takes for the capacitor to charge or discharge to 63.2% of its maximum value. A smaller time constant means the capacitor charges or discharges faster, resulting in a shorter time for the circuit to reach steady-state. A larger time constant means the capacitor charges or discharges slower, resulting in a longer time for the circuit to reach steady-state.

5. Can the capacitance in an RC circuit be changed?

Yes, the capacitance in an RC circuit can be changed by changing the value of the capacitor or by changing the dielectric material between the plates. The capacitance can also be changed by adding capacitors in series or parallel, which increases or decreases the overall capacitance of the circuit.

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