Experiments in Electricity

Charging and Discharging a Capacitor Experiment

804 CHAPTER 26 Capacitance and Dielectrics

study;
I n this chapter, we discuss capacitors — device
tors are commonly used in a variety of elec
used to tune the frequency of radio receiv
eliminate sparking in automobile ignition syste
electronic flash units.
value of an A capacitor consists of two conductors sep
that the capacitance of a given capacitor depen
terial — called a dielectric — that separates the co

ectric current
26.1 DEFINITION OF CAPACITAN
s with parallel Consider two conductors carrying charges of
sign, as shown in Figure 26.1. Such a combinat
13.5

sistors, pacitor. The conductors are called plates. A po

the conductors due to the presence of the cha
difference is the volt, a potential difference is o
ng any circuit this term to describe the potential difference a
two points in space.
mbination of
I. INTRODUCTION What determines how much charge is on t
voltage? In other words, what is the capacity o
particular value of !V ? Experiments show tha
1.1. Capacitor
pacitor 1 is linearly proportional to the potent
tors; that is, Q # !V. The proportionality const
Consider two conductors (a)
carrying charges of equal magnitude butofof
ration theopposite sign,
conductors. as write this rel
2 We can

shown in Figure1. Such a combination of two conductors is called a capacitor.

capacitance as follows: The
conductors are called plates. A potential difference V exists between the conductors due to
Definition of capacitance The capacitance
the presence of the charges. Because the unit of potential difference is the volt,C aofpotential
a capacitor is the ratio
either conductor to the magnitude of the pote
difference is often called a voltage. We shall use this term to describe the potential
difference across a circuit element or between two points in space. Q
C!
!V

er supply, the Note that by definition capacitance is always a po

tential difference !V is always expressed in Equ
cause the potential difference increases linear
ectric current Q /!V is constant for a given capacitor. There
capacitor’s ability to store charge and electric p
carrying wire, –Q From Equation 26.1, we see that capacitanc
The SI unit of capacitance is the farad (F), wh
th of the wire Faraday:
1 F " 1 C/V
the wire is The farad is a very large unit of capacitance.
+Q pacitances ranging from microfarads (10$6 F)
urrent is the cal purposes, capacitors often are labeled “mF”
cromicrofarads or, equivalently, “pF” for picofa
per second
1
Figure 26.1 A capacitor consists Although the total charge on the capacitor is zero (beca

the current of two conductors carrying charges

of equal magnitude but opposite
on one conductor as there is excess negative charge on the
magnitude of the charge on either conductor as “the charg
Figure 1. A capacitor consists of two
sign.conductors carrying charges 2 The proportionality between !V and Q can be proved fro

y a voltage
he electrical
 points in space.
pacitor. The conductors are called plates. A potential difference !V exists between
What determines
the conductors how duemuch
to the charge
presence isofon
the the plates
charges. of a the
Because capacitor for a given
unit of potential
age? In difference
other words, is the what is the capacity
volt, a potential differenceofisthe
oftendevice
called afor storing
voltage. charge
We shall use at a
this term
ticular value to describe
of !V the potential
? Experiments difference
show across
that the a circuit of
quantity element
charge or between
Q on a ca-
two points in space.
itor 1 is linearly proportional to the potential difference between the conduc-
What determines how much charge is on the plates of a capacitor for a given
s; that is, voltage?
Q # !V. In The
otherproportionality
words, what is the constant depends
capacity of the on storing
device for the shapecharge and
at asepa-
on of theExperiments
conductors.
particular value
show 2 that
of We can
!V ?the write ofthis
Experiments
quantity relationship
show
charge that as Qofis"charge
thea quantity
Q on capacitor C !VQproportional
linearly ifonwe define
a ca- to
the potential
1 difference between the conductors. The proportionality constant depends on
acitance pacitor is linearly proportional to the potential difference between the conduc-
as follows:
tors;shape
the that is,
andQ# !V. The of
separation proportionality constant
the conductors. We candepends
write thison the shapeas
relationship and
Q sepa-
=C ∆V if
ration
we of the
define conductors.
capacitance 2 We can write this relationship as Q " C !V if we define
as follows:
he capacitance C of
capacitance a capacitor is the ratio of the magnitude of the charge on
as follows:
ther conductor to the magnitude of the potential difference between them:
The capacitance C of a capacitor is the ratio of the magnitude of the charge on
either conductor to the magnitude ofQ the potential difference between them:
C! (26.1)
!V Q
C! (26.1)
!V

te that byNote
definition
that by
capacitance
by definition
is always a positive
capacitance isisalways
quantity.
a positive quantity.
Furthermore,
Furthermore,
the po-
the the
po- po-
Note that definition capacitance always a positive quantity. Furthermore,
tial difference
tential
!V is always
tentialdifference
difference V!V isexpressed
alwaysexpressed
is always
in in
expressed Equation
inEquation
Equation 26.1
26.1
26.1
as apositive
positive
asasa apositive
quantity.
quantity.
quantity. Be- Be-
Because
se the potential
cause
the potentialdifference
the potential
difference increases
difference
increases linearly
increases
linearly with the with
linearly withthe
stored the stored
stored
charge, charge,
charge,
the ratio Q/V is the
the ratio ratio
constant
Q /!V
!V is constant is
for a given constant for
forcapacitor.
a given a given
capacitor.
Therefore, capacitor. Therefore,
Therefore,
capacitance capacitance
capacitance
is a measure is a measure
is a measure
of a capacitor’s of a of a
ability to store
capacitor’s ability to store charge
charge and electric potential energy. and electric potential energy.
acitor’s ability
FromtoEquation
store charge
26.1, weand electric
see that potential
capacitance has SIenergy.
units of coulombs per volt.
From Equation
The SIEquation
From unit 26.1, we weseesee
of capacitance
26.1, that thecapacitance
is that farad hasSIwas
(F), which
capacitance has SI units
named
units of coulombs
in honor
of coulombs volt.per
Thevolt.
of Michael
per SI
Faraday:
e SI unit unit
of capacitance
of capacitance isisthe the farad
farad (F), was
(F), which whichnamedwasin named in honor
honor of Michael of Michael
Faraday:
aday: 1 F " 1 C/V
The farad is a very large unit of capacitance. In practice, typical devices have ca-
1 F " 1 C/V
pacitances ranging from microfarads (10$6 F) to picofarads (10$12 F). For practi-
e farad iscala purposes, capacitors
very large unit ofoften are labeled “mF”
capacitance. for microfarads
In practice, and “mmF”
typical devicesforhave
mi- ca-
cromicrofarads
Any or, equivalently,
two conductors separated by“pF” for picofarads.
an insulator
$6 (or vacuum) form a capacitor.
$12 A capacitor is
itances ranging from microfarads (10 F) to picofarads (10 F). For practi-
a circuit element that accumulates charge when connected to a circuit. This accumulating
purposes, capacitors
charge gives
1 Although riseoften
the total charge
are
to a voltage labeled
difference
on the capacitor
“mF” for its
V across
is zero (because
microfarads
terminals
there
and
(plates).
is as much
“mmF”
excess In mostcharge
positive
for mi-
practical
onsists
microfarads
charges on oneor, equivalently,
applications, each
conductor conductor
as there “pF”
is excess for charge
initially
negative picofarads.
has zero net
on the charge
other), and electrons
it is common are
practice to transferred
refer to the
osite magnitude
from one ofconductor
the charge on
to either conductor
the other. Thisas “the charge charging
is called on the capacitor.”
the capacitor. Then, the two
2 The proportionality between !V and Q can be proved from Coulomb’s law or by experiment.
conductors have charges with equal magnitude and opposite sign, and the net charge on
hough thethe
total chargeas
capacitor ona the capacitor
whole remains iszero.
zero (because there is as much excess positive charge
ne conductor as there is excess negative charge on the other), it is common practice to refer to the
When we say that a capacitor has charge Q (or, a charge Q is stored on the capacitor), we
nitude of the charge on either conductor as “the charge on the capacitor.”
mean that the conductor at higher potential has charge +Qand the conductor at lower
e proportionality
potentialbetween !V and
has charge -Q. Q can be proved from Coulomb’s law or by experiment.

The electric field at any point in the region between the conductors is proportional to the
magnitude Qof charge on each conductor. It follows that the potential difference Vab
between the conductors is also proportional to Q .

In the simple act of charging or discharging a capacitor, we find a situation in which the
currents, voltages and powers do change with time.
ply Kirchhoff’s loop rule to loop bghab
contains the capacitor) to find the po- Answer 11.0 V.
across the capacitor. We enter this po-
equation without reference to a sign Exercise Reverse the direction of the 3.00-V battery and an-
e charge 1.2
on Charging a Capacitor
the capacitor depends swer parts (a) and (b) again.
of the potential difference. Moving
op, we obtain 28.4 RC Circuits
Answer (a) I 1 # 1.38 A, I 2 # "0.364 A, I 3 # 1.02 A;
$V cap " 3.00 V # 0 Resistor
(b) 30 &C.
$V cap # 11.0 V

Capacitor R R

28.4 RC CIRCUITS
+ – C
–q
+q
I

Switch
So far we have been analyzing steady-state S
circuits, in whichS
the current is con-
ε ε
stant. In circuits containing capacitors, the current may vary in time. A circuit con-
Battery
(a) (b) t < 0 (c)
taining a series combination of a resistor and a capacitort >is0 called an RC circuit.
Figure 28.16 (a) A capacitor in series with a resistor, switch, and battery. (b) Circuit diagram
representing this system at time t % 0, before the switch is closed. (c) Circuit diagram at time
t $ 0, after the switch has been closed.
Charging a Capacitor
Figure 2. Charging a capacitor
difference that
Let us assume across the
the resistor.
capacitor We have inused
Figurethe sign conventions
28.16 discusseduncharged.
is initially earlier There is no
for the signs on ! and IR. For the capacitor, notice that we are traveling in the di-
currentrection
whilefrom switch S is plate
the positive open (Fig.
to the 28.16b).
negative If represents
plate; this the switch is closed
a decrease in at t # 0, how-
Let us assume
ever, charge
potential. that
begins the
Thus, weto capacitor
useflow, in
setting
a negative Figure
sign forup 2
this a is initially
current
voltage uncharged.
in the
in Equation 28.11. There
circuit, is no
Note thatand the current
capacitor
q andSI are
while switch is instantaneous
open4 If thevalues that is
switch depend
closed on time
at t(as
=0,opposed to steady-state
however, chargeval- begins to flow,
begins to charge. Note thatcharged. during charging, charges do not jump across the ca-
setting upues)a as the capacitor
current in theis being
circuit, and the capacitor begins to charge.Note that during
pacitor charges
charging, plates
We can because
use Equation
do notonjump theacross
gaptobetween
28.11 find the initial
the ca-instant thecurrent
pacitor plates represents
in the circuit and thean open circuit. In-
maximum charge the capacitor. At the the plates
switch isbecause
closed (t " the
0),gap
the between the
stead,represents
plates charge
charge onisan transferred
the open
capacitorcircuit. between
is zero,Instead, each
and fromchargeEquation plate
is28.11 and
transferred itsthat
we find connecting
between eachwire
the initial platedue
and to the
electric
its fieldwire
current
connecting inestablished
the
duecircuit ain thefield
I 0 is electric
to the maximum wires by the
andestablished
is equal to inbattery,
the wiresuntilby thethe capacitor
battery, until theis fully
charged.is As
capacitor fullythe plates As
charged. become ! charged,
the plates
I0 "
becomethe potential
charged,
(current at t " 0)
difference
the potential across
difference
(28.12)
the capaci-
across
Maximum current
the
torcapacitor
increases. increases.
The value The value of the of
R the maximum charge
maximum charge dependsdepends on on
the the
voltage of the of the
voltage
battery. Once the maximum charge is reached, the current in the circuit is zero because
battery.AtOncethis time,thethemaximum
potential difference charge fromisthereached, the current
battery terminals in the circuit is zero
appears entirely
the potential
acrossdifference
the resistor. across the capacitor
Later, when the capacitor matches thattosupplied
is charged its maximum by the
valuebattery.
Q,
becausecharges
the potential
cease to flow,difference
the current inacross the circuit theis zero,
capacitor
and the matches that supplied by the
potential differ-
battery.
To analyzeence
thisfrom the battery
circuit terminals appears
quantitatively, entirelyKirchhoff’s
let us apply across the capacitor.
loop rule Substituting
to the circuit after the
I " 0 into Equation 28.11 gives the charge on the capacitor at this time:
switchTo analyze
is closed. this circuit
Traversing the loop quantitatively,
clockwise gives let us apply Kirchhoff’s loop rule to the
Q " C! (maximum charge) (28.13)
circuit after the switch is closed. Traversing the loop clockwise gives Maximum charge on the capac
To determine analytical expressions for the time dependence of the charge
and current, we must solve Equation 28.11 —qa single equation containing two vari-
ables, q and I. The current in all parts of" ! IR #must
" circuit
the series 0 be the same. Thus,
C as the current flowing out of and
(28.11)
the current in the resistance R must be the same
into the capacitor plates. This current is equal to the time rate of change of the
where q/Cchargeisonthe potential
the capacitor difference
plates. across
Thus, we substitute I "the
dq /dtcapacitor and
into Equation 28.11IR is the potential
and rearrange the equation:
1.3 Discharging a Capacitor dq q !
4 In previous discussions of capacitors, we
" assumed
# a steady-state situation, in which no current was
dt R RC
present
Now in consider
let us any branch theofcircuit
the circuit
shown containing
in Figurea3,capacitor. Now weofare
which consists considering
a capacitor the caseanbefore the
carrying
To find an expression for q, we first combine thecharges
terms onare
the moving
right-hand side:
initial charge Q , a resistor, and a switch. The initial charge Q is not the same as in
steady-state condition is realized; in this situation, and a current exists thethe wires
connectedcharge
maximum to the capacitor. dq
Q in the previous C !discussion,
q q # C!
" # " # unless the dis- charge occurs after the
dt RC
capacitor is fully charged (as described earlier). WhenRC RC the switch is open, a potential
difference Q /C exists across the capacitor and there is zero potential difference across the
 ion
must be in order to be an exponent of e in Equations 28.14 and 28.15.
the tcircuit
/RC is shown
dimensionless,
in Figureas28.18,
it which consists of a capaci-
ons 28.14 and The
28.15. energy output of the battery as the capacitor is fully charged is
al charge Q , a resistor, and a switch. The initial charge Q is
Q
capacitor ! is # C!
fully 2. Afteristhe capacitor is fully charged, the
charged
maximum charge Q in the previous discussion, unless the dis- C
–Q
energy stored
R
in the capacitor
he energy stored
the capacitor 1
put of difference
tential
!
the battery.
in
is 2Qis fully the 1
!capacitor
# charged 2
2 Cleft ,aswhich
QIt/Cis exists
is just
(as described
a
across
halfWhen
earlier). the the
the capacitor and there is
energy output of the battery. It is left as a
+Q

ofproblem
g half across
rence
resistor
the the
energy (Problem
because
supplied
resistor by I60)
because
I#=0.to Ifshow
0.If the the that the
switch is remaining
switch is closed
closed at t half
= 0, of
thethe energybegins
capacitor supplied by
to discharge
S
or.
tor beginsthe battery
dischargeappears
to through the as internal
resistor.
through the resistor. Atenergy in the
some time t resistor. t<0
e, the current in the circuit is I and the charge on the capaci- (a)
). The circuit in Figure 28.18 is the same as the circuit in Fig-
Discharging
r the absence of the battery.
8.18, which consists of a capaci-
a Capacitor
Thus, we eliminate the emf !
1 to obtain the appropriate loop equation for the circuit in
a switch. Now
The initial
let uscharge Q is the circuit shown in Figure 28.18,
consider –q which consists of a capaci-
–Q
evious discussion, unless the dis- C R C R I
tor carrying
(as described
q
earlier).
$ When
$ IR # an0 the
initial charge+Q Q , a (28.16)
resistor, and a switch. The initial charge Q is
+q
C same –Q
across thenot the
capacitor as the
and there is maximum charge Q in the previous discussion, unless the dis- C
use I # 0. If
I # dq /dtchargethe switch
into thisoccurs is closed
after
expression, the capacitorS is fully charged (as described
it becomes S earlier). When the +Q
ugh the resistor. At some time t t<0 t>0
switch
I and the charge dqis open,
q a potential difference Q /C exists across(b)the capacitor and there is
$R on #the capaci- (a)
zero
is the same potentialC indifference
dt circuit
as the Fig- across the resistor because I # 0. If the switch is closed
Thus, we eliminate the emf ! Figure 28.18 (a) A charged ca-
at t #dq0, the 1capacitor begins to discharge pacitor through thetoresistor.
connected a resistor andAt some time t
oop equationFigure
for the
#$ circuit
3. dtin
Discharging a capacitor
duringq the discharge,RC the current
–q in the circuit is I and theatcharge
a switch, which is open t % 0. on the capaci-
(b) After the switch is closed, a cur-
tor is
ression, using theqsome
At (Fig.
fact 28.18b).
thattime The
at t #
q # Qt during C circuit
gives
0, the in Figure
+q discharge,
R I 28.18 is the same as the circuit in Fig-
rent that decreases
the current in the in magnitude
circuit is I and the charge on the
(28.16)
!
#
ureqcapacitor
28.16 except
# for the absence of the battery. Thus, we eliminate the emf
t
with time is
Rentech set up in the direction
dq 1is q . To obtain the appropriate loop equation
shown, for the
and the charge circuit
on the ca- in Figure 3:
#$ dt
from
, it becomes Q qEquationRC 028.11 to obtain the
S appropriate
pacitor loop
decreases equation
exponentially for the circuit in
Figure Volume-2
with time.
q 28.18:t
t>0 –q
! Q " # $ RC
ln (b)
q C
+q
Figure 28.18 (a)$ $ ca-
A charged IR # 0 (28.16)
/RC
C
pacitor connected to a resistor and Charge
5. versus time for a Procedure
Experimental
t q(t ) # Qe $t (28.17) discharging capacitor
a switch, which is open at t % 0.
When we substitute I #
II.APPARATUS
Rentech (b) dq /dt
After into isthis
the switch expression,
closed, a cur- it becomes Experiments in Electricity
expression
Q at t # 0,with
givesrespect to time gives rent
the instantaneous
that decreases in current
magnitude
: 5.1. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Resistance,
2.2. cables,
Charging multimeter,
a Capacitor
shown, and the $R
charge
dq
with time is set up in the
basic
directionq
electrical
on the ca- set, then recalling that VR
Andcapacitors IR , we get:
dt #
dq d Q with dt
pacitor decreases exponentially C Current versus time for a
Part-4: Charging and Discharging a Capacitor
(t) # # (Qe $t /RC ) # $
III. e $t /RC
time. (28.18) discharging capacitor Figure 28.18
dt dt EXPERIMENTAL
RC PROCEDURE q (t )
dq 1 V I (t ) R (17)pacitor connec
#$ dt C
s the initial current. The negative sign indicates that the q cur- RC a switch, which
Charge versus time for a
hat the capacitor is discharging
(28.17) is opposite the current direc- (b) After the sw
citor wasIntegrating
being charged.this
(Compare
discharging capacitor
expression, using
the current the fact
directions in that q #Solving t # 0, for
Q at Eq.(17) I (t ) , we get:
gives rent that decre

# #
e18b.)
gives We
the see that both the
instantaneous charge on the capacitor and the
current with time is set
nentially at a rate characterized by the time constantq" dq # RC. 1 t
V q(t ) shown, and the
#$ dt I (t ) (18) Figure-35: Switch
Q q RC 0 R RC pacitor
set. decreas
Q $t /RC Current versus time for a
with time.
$ e (28.18) discharging capacitor

! "q t
RC
ln #$ Since I (t ) is just the rate of change of q (t ) :
ative sign indicates that the cur- Q RC 2. Now turn
ng is opposite the current direc- dq(t ) the switch
mpare the current directions in I (t ) (19) Charge versus
q(t ) # Qe $t /RC dt (28.17) discharging ca
harge on the capacitor and the
Figure-14:
d by the time constant " # Charging
RC . an initially uncharged capacitor. Switch 2.1. Set
Differentiating
1) initially
Set open. this
up When expression
thethe with
switch (S)provided
circuit closed, respect
the charge to time
on the up
on the Thengives the instantaneous
substituting this into Eq.(18),current
we find: side. volt
Figure-34: Experimental set-up of the RC circuit for the
as a function of time:
capacitor increases over time while current decreases.
2.2. Mea
2) If you have one multimeter, prepare it for 2charging and discharging a capacitor.
dq(t )You
situations. V can q(tuse
) your multimeter for
(20) acro
measuring current and voltage. dq d dt
Q $t /RC R RC Current
2.3. versus
Now
Figure-(14) showsI(t) a simple
# circuit (Qe $t /RC
# for charging a ) # $ e (28.18) discharging ca
term
3) capacitor.
Please make A circuit such dtas thisof
the connection dtthat has supply.
power a RC the RC circuit shown in the
1. Construct
circ
Figure-(34) to
Equation-(20) is aexperimentally obtain for
differential equation theq (t )
resistor and a capacitor in series is called an cap
where
4) DoQ /RC # I 0 isthat
not forget theAmmeters
initial current. The negative
are connected in sign
charging
series and
so indicates
discharging
that the that
current the
curves cur-
of
flows
and it can be shown that the solution for the
the
through 2.4. Brin
R C circuit. Initially the switch S is open and
rentthem.
direction now that
The ideal ammeterthe capacitor is discharging
has a resistance of zero. is Real
opposite
current
equation by:the current
ammeters
Iis. given have some direc-internal (Fig
no current passes through theconnected
circuit. When the
tion when the capacitor was being charged. (Compare the current directions in
resistance. Voltmeters are in parallel to resistive elements in the circuit so that circ

Figs.they measure
28.16c
switch Sand the
28.18b.)
is closed at t 0We
potential , adfference
see that
current across
both
I starts (on charge
to the each side onof)the
Resistance thecapacitor
element. and the
Capacitor 2.5. Rec
q(t ) VC (1 e t / RC ) (21) find
current decay
flow exponentially
into the circuit, and theatcharge
a rateqcharacterized
starts to by the
R(k time ) constant #) RC.
C (" F
accumulate on the capacitor. Now, we can 33 1000 3. For the
determine the behavior of I (t ), q(t ) and the switch to
Here, the voltage of the power supply V , resistor
1.1. Note that the capacitor used in this remove t
 5.2. LABORATORY REPORT
Table-10: The data values during th
Part-4: Charging and Discharging a Capacitor
capacitor.

Measured
t (sec) t (sec
5) In this experiment, the current flowing through a resis- tor will be measured asI (the A)
voltage across the resistor1.is varied.
For the So RCplease
circuit fill
with thea Tabe
piece1offorwire
this circuit.
connected across the capacitor: 0 .....
6) At time t=0 when we first close the
1.1. switchand
Measure S report
in thebelowcircuit,
the the capacitor has no charge,
current
and so the current I will be determined by the resistor alone. The capacitor here acts as a
I flowing
short circuit. At any later time, the charge willinstart
the circuit.
to increase while the current decrease. 

Then, q (t) will reach the constant1.2. Measure
value of q =theVCvoltage V instant
. At this across the
the capacitor will be fully
charged. The current, on the other hand, terminalswill be power
of the zero at this instant. At this step try to fill
supply.
the Table 1.

Resistance Capacitor

R( k ) C( F )
..... ..... 3. The data values obtaine
discharging of the capacito
the data Table-(11).

Table-9: The current in the short circuit.

Table-11: The data values during the
Measured Measured Calculated
7) Find the experimental time constant 𝜏 of the circuit from the I vs t graphs. Find it from
capacitor.
V
V I I t (sec) I ( A) t (sec
R
Table1 Charging a capacitor Table2 Discharging a capacitor
5Measured
V ..... ..... 0 .....
Measured
t(second) t(second)
current(A) current(A)
0 0

. .

. .

. .

both the charging and discharging graphs. Then, compare experimental time constant 𝜏
with its theoretical value obtained by
45
𝜏 =RC

Ref.

1) Serway, R, Beichner,R. Physics for Scientists ans engineers with modern physics, Fifth
edition. 2000.
2) Rentech.Experiments in electricity, student guide. 2013.