PHYSICS PROJECT

MADE BY: J.SANURAG

CLASS; 12 A
ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL
CHARGING AND DISCHARGING OF
CAPACITOR
 AIM

The main objective of this project is to display the charging

and discharging of electric current using capacitor in a circuit.

THEORY

A capacitor is a passive device that stores energy in its electric

field and returns energy to the circuit whenever required.
When a capacitor is connected to the R-C circuit source two
process, which are called charging and discharging of the
capacitor.

A capacitor consists of two conductors separated by a small

distance. When the conductors are connected to a charging
device, charge is transferred from one conductor to other until
the difference in potential between the conductors due to their
equal but opposite charge becomes equal to the potential
difference between the terminals of charging device.
The amount of charge stored in either conductor is directly
proportional to the voltage, and the constant of proportionality
is known as the capacitance. This is written algebraically as:
𝑄 = 𝐶∆𝑉

Capacitor discharge (Voltage decay): V=V0e-(t/RC)

Where V0 is the initial voltage applied to the capacitor.

Since Q=CV the equation of the charge (Q) on the capacitor

after a time t is:
Capacitor discharge (charge decay): Q=Q0e-(t/RC)

The voltage on capacitor is maximum of 63% at time t=RC.

This product of R and C is called as the time constant and is
denoted by .‫ז‬

The potential difference between the plates of the capacitor

varies as an exponential function of time: Vαext
 CIRCUIT COMPONENTS

 Carboard (1mm)

 2 Resistors (100 Ω)

 2 Switch (for 100V)

 Capacitor (1000 µf)

 3 LED bulbs

 Insulated wires (2 meters)

 Battery (9V)

 Battery holder

 Soldering machine
 PROCEDURE

 Draw the circuit diagram with pencil in the carboard.

 Connect the circuit components according to the circuit

diagram, through insulated wires below the carboard.

 Solder the wires with the soldering machine under adult

supervision.

 Now the battery is connected to the soldered wire using

the battery holder.

 When the first switch S1 is turned on, LED1 glows for

approximately 10 seconds after which it stops.

 Now S1 is turned off and S2 is turned on, LED2 glows

for approximately 2 seconds and it stops.

 Repeat and observe the experiment to note down its

observation theoretically.
GRAPHS
 WORKING

In a simple circuit, a resistor and a capacitor are connected in

series with a battery and a switch. When the switch is in
position 1 as shown in the circuit diagram charge on
conductors builds to a maximum value after some time. When
switch is thrown to position 2 as in the circuit diagram, the
battery is no longer part of the circuit and, therefore the
charge on the capacitor cannot be replenished. As a result, the
capacitor discharges through the resistor.

A capacitor is equivalent to an open circuit to direct current,

R=∞, because once the charging phase has finished, no more
current flows through it. The voltage Vc on a capacitor cannot
change abruptly

When the capacitor is disconnected from the power supply,

the capacitor is discharging through the resistor Rd and the
voltage between the plates drops gradually to zero, Vc=0.

The smaller the resistance or capacitance, the smaller the time

constant, the faster the charging and the discharging rate of
the capacitor and vice versa,
 APPLICATION

 Capacitors are used in almost all electronic products in a

variety of ways.

 Capacitors can be used in time-dependent circuits

because their charging and discharging takes place at
regular intervals.

 Capacitor is used for energy storage in car audio systems

large capacitors store energy for the amplifier to use on
demand.

 Capacitors are also used in uninterruptible power

supply(UPS).

 Large capacitor banks are used as energy sources for the

exploding bridge wire detonators or slapper detonators in
nuclear weapons.

 Capacitors are used to accurately measure the fuel level

in airplanes.

 Capacitors are also used in some finger print sensors.

 CONCLUSION

When the capacitor is discharged through a resistor, the

voltage across the capacitor and the charge on the capacitor
decreases exponentially. When the capacitor is charged
through a resistor, the voltage exponentially rises.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 www.circuitdigest.com

 www.intructables.com

 Scribd audio and e-books

 Techno power systems, Rampuram, Chennai.