The document discusses the theoretical and experimental analysis of RC circuits, specifically focusing on the charging and discharging of capacitors. It includes detailed calculations of time constants and percentage errors in measurements for different resistor and capacitor values. The outcomes highlight the relationship between time and voltage levels in capacitor behavior.

1. The RC Circuit
• By Dr. Robert Craig, Ph.D.

2. Procedure A: Charging the Capacitor

3. .
Theoretical
 exp 
Experimental Determinations of the Time Constant
tfull
9
1
 exp
(time to 63% Vmax)
t1 / 2
Case 1
R
991.3 W
C
277.1 mF
2
3
 theo
(time to 50% Vmax)
 exp
t full
t1 / 2
ln 2
0.275 s
% errors:
0.320 s
16.4%
0.2061 s
0.291 s
5.8%
2.38 s
0.264 s
4.0%

4. Case 2
325.5 W
277.1 mF
0.090 s
% errors:
Case 3
550.3 W
277.1 mF
0.152 s
% errors:
0.0865 s
0.0510 s
3.9%
0.1659 s
9.1%
0.074 s
0.86 s
17.8%
0.1043 s
0.150 s
1.3%
0.096 s
6.7%
1.32 s
0.147 s
3.3%

5. Time to fully charge.

6. Time to 63% V max

7. Time to 50% V max

8. Procedure B: Discharging the
Capacitor