Introduction

capacitors and their importance.

A capacitor is an electronic device that stores electrical energy in an electric field by
accumulating electric charges on two closely spaced surfaces that are insulated from each
other. It is a passive electronic component with two terminals.
The effect of a capacitor is known as capacitance. While some
capacitance exists between any two electrical conductors in
proximity in a circuit, a capacitor is a component designed to
add capacitance to a circuit. The capacitor was originally
known as the condenser,[1] a term still encountered in a few

compound names, such as the condenser microphone.

The physical form and construction of practical capacitors vary widely and many types of
capacitors are in common use. Most capacitors contain at least two electrical conductors,
often in the form of metallic plates or surfaces separated by a dielectric medium. A conductor
may be a foil, thin film, sintered bead of metal, or an electrolyte.

Explain the need for studying charging and discharging of capacitor

1. Basic Electronics Understanding: Capacitors are one of the basic components in
electronic circuits, and understanding their behavior during charging and discharging
is fundamental to grasp the functioning of more complex circuits.
2. Timing and Signal Processing: Capacitors are used to control the timing and signal
processing in electronic circuits. Understanding how long it takes a capacitor to
charge or discharge helps design timing circuits, pulse shaping, and filtering circuits.
3. Energy Storage: Capacitors can store energy in a circuit, and understanding the
charging and discharging processes is vital for designing energy storage systems, such
as in power supplies or energy recovery circuits.
4. Power Quality: In electrical power systems, capacitors are used for power factor
correction and voltage stabilization. Knowing how capacitors charge and discharge is
crucial for optimizing these functions.
5. Filtering and Signal Processing: Capacitors are often used in conjunction with other
components to filter or process signals. Knowing the time constants involved in
charging and discharging capacitors helps design effective filter circuits.

Charging and Discharging of Capacitor in an RC Circuit

The charging and discharging of a capacitor in an RC (Resistor-Capacitor) circuit is a
fundamental topic in electrical and electronics engineering, and it is often covered in class
12 or introductory college-level courses. This topic helps students understand the time-
dependent behavior of capacitors and their interaction with resistors in simple circuits.
Here's an overview of charging and discharging a capacitor in an RC circuit:

1. **Charging of a Capacitor: **

- When a voltage source is connected across a resistor and a discharged capacitor, the
capacitor begins to charge.
- Initially, the capacitor has no voltage across its terminals, and the current through the
circuit is at its maximum. As time progresses, the voltage across the capacitor gradually
increases.
- The voltage across the capacitor as a function of time (V(t)) during charging can be
described by the formula:
V(t) = V₀ * (1 - e^ (-t / RC))

- V(t) is the voltage across the capacitor at time t.

- V₀ is the initial voltage (voltage source voltage).
- t is the time in seconds.
- R is the resistance in ohms.
- C is the capacitance in farads.
- e is the base of the natural logarithm (approximately 2.71828).

- As time goes to infinity, the voltage across the capacitor approaches the voltage of the
source (V₀).

2. **Discharging of a Capacitor: **
 - When a charged capacitor is connected across a resistor and a load (such as a resistor),
the capacitor begins to discharge.
- Initially, the capacitor has a voltage V₀ (the initial voltage), and the current through the
circuit is at its maximum. As time progresses, the voltage across the capacitor decreases.
- The voltage across the capacitor as a function of time (V(t)) during discharging can be
described by the formula:
V(t) = V₀ * e^ (-t / RC)

- V(t) is the voltage across the capacitor at time t.

- V₀ is the initial voltage across the capacitor.
- t is the time in seconds.
- R is the resistance in ohms.
- C is the capacitance in farads.

- As time goes to infinity, the voltage across the

capacitor approaches 0V (fully discharged).

activity on charging and discharging of capacitor

aim- charging and discharging of capacitors in a RC circuit

Materials Needed:
1. Capacitor (electrolytic or ceramic capacitor with a known capacitance, e.g., 100 µF)
2. Resistor (with a known resistance, e.g., 1000 ohms)
3. Power supply (e.g., a DC power source or a battery)
4. A cardboard
5. Switch
6. Connecting wires
Theory:
When a capacitor of capacitance C is connected in series with a resistor of resistance R
and then connected to a battery of EMF E it gets charged but since some resistance has
been introduced, this charging process takes some time and hence the potential
difference between the plates of the capacitor varies as an exponential function of time,
i.e.
V α e xt
The circuit diagram for this experiment is given below:-

Applying Kirchhoff’s law in the above circuit during charging, i.e. capacitor is connected
to the battery

E–Vc –iR=0…………….. (i)

Q
Vc=
C

Putting above value in eq. (i)

Q
E− −iR=0
C

dQ
Since i=
dt
Q dQ
Therefore, E - - R=0
C dt
Q dQ
E- = R
C dt
 dQ
EC-Q= RC
dt
Integrating both sides
t Q
1 1
∫ RC dt =∫ dQ
0 0 EC −Q

EC−Q t
−ln = …………. (ii)
EC RC

−Q −t
1 = e RC
EC

( )
−t
Hence we get, Q=EC 1−e RC

Since EC=Q0 for a capacitor

Therefore,

( )
−t
Q=Q0 1−e RC ……………….. (iii)

Here, Q charge at time t

Qo max charge
Also Q=CV and Qo=CVo, where V and Vo are voltage at time t and max voltage
respectively
Therefore from eq (iii),

( )
−t
CV=CVo 1−e RC

( )
−t
V=Vo 1−e RC , this is the required expression.

[NOTE:- This is the charging equation only, for discharging equation proceed the same
way but only remove E from Kirchhoff law’s equation].
Thus equation for discharging,

( )
−t
V=V0 e RC

When RC=t, then equation becomes,

V=Vo( 1−e−1)
 Which on solving gives
V=0.63Vo, i.e. the voltage on capacitor at time t=RC becomes 63% of the max voltage,
which means 63% of total charge has been stored in the capacitor.
This product of R and C has been given a new name, i.e. time constant and is denoted by
τ, which means for any capacitor in RC circuit 63% of total charge is stored at time
constant.
In my experiment I have used a 100µF capacitor and a 1MΩ resistor thus time constant =
100×10-6×106=100 sec.

Procedure:
1. Set Up the Circuit:
 Build an RC circuit using the breadboard or circuit construction kit. Connect the
capacitor in series with the resistor.
 Connect the power supply to the circuit and ensure that the capacitor is initially
uncharged. You can verify this by measuring the voltage across the capacitor (Vc)
with the multimeter.
 You should also set up a switch in the circuit, which you will use to control the
charging and discharging processes.
2. Charging of the Capacitor:
 Close the switch to allow current to flow through the circuit. This starts the charging
process.
 Use the multimeter to measure the voltage across the capacitor (Vc) at regular
intervals (e.g., every 10 seconds) and record the readings.
 Observe how the voltage across the capacitor gradually increases, and the capacitor
is charging. Make sure to record the time and voltage values in a table.
 Calculate the time constant (τ) of the circuit using the formula τ = RC.
3. Discharging of the Capacitor:
 After the capacitor has charged sufficiently (e.g., when it reaches about 63.2% of the
maximum voltage), open the switch to disconnect the power source.
 Use the multimeter to measure the voltage across the capacitor (Vc) at regular
intervals (e.g., every 10 seconds) during the discharge process and record the
readings.
 Observe how the voltage across the capacitor gradually decreases, and the capacitor
is discharging. Record the time and voltage values in a table.
Calculation-
Now since the graphs are very much similar to the graphs of charging and discharging of
capacitor.
At τ=100sec, during charging of capacitor the voltage on capacitor is 5.69 volt as it is
observed in the experiment. Now using the charging formula:-
−t
V=9(1-e t )

1
V=9(1- )
e
V=5.67≈ 5.69 which is achieved experimentally as well.
Similarly during discharging,
V=9*e−1

V=3.32≈3.30 which is achieved experimentally as well.

 Reference
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 En.wikipedia.org
 Concepts of physics part 2 by H.C. Verma
 This project is completely created with the help of Microsoft word 2007 and the
graphs, equations and observation tables are also created with the help of the same.

 Duff, Wilmer (1916) [1908]. A Text-Book of Physics (4th ed.). Philadelphia: P.

Blakiston's Son & Co. p. 361. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
 ^ Bird, John (2010). Electrical and Electronic Principles and Technology. Routledge.
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 ^ Floyd, Thomas (2005) [1984]. Electronic Devices (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New
Jersey, USA: Pearson Education. p. 10. ISBN 0-13-127827-4.
 ^ Williams, Henry Smith. "A History of Science Volume II, Part VI: The Leyden Jar
Discovered". Archived from the original on 2007-10-24. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
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Retrieved 2013-03-17.
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term was then applied to a group of electrochemical cells
 ^ "eFunda: Glossary: Units: Electric Capacitance: Jar". eFunds. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
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  ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f Ho, Janet; Jow, T. Richard; Boggs, Steven (January
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Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to

my teacher Mr. G. D. SHARMA sir as well as our
principal who gave me the golden opportunity to do this
wonderful project on the topic Charging and
discharging of capacitor in R-C circuit, which also
helped me in doing a lot of Research and I came to
know about so many new things I am really thankful to
them
Secondly I would also like to thank my parents and
friends who helped me a lot in finalizing this project
within the limited time frame. I also thank the authors
of various articles that I referred to. And I also thank
our physics lab attendant to allow me doing my
practical work there.
At last I thank all the people who helped me.
 Certificate

This is certified that raj shekhar student of

class 12 e has completed the project titled
 “Charging and discharging of capacitor in
rc circuit” during the academic year 2023-
2024 for physics practical examination
submitted satisfactory report, as complied
in the following pages, under the
supervision

Teacher sign external sign

Index
1.ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2.CERTIFICATE
3.INTRODUCTION TO capacitor
4.MATERIALS REQUIRED
5.THEORY
6.PROCEDURE
7.OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION
8.REFRENCE