RC Time Procedure

Experiment 21
RC Time Constants
Advanced Reading:
University Physics Vol.2 by OpenStax,
Chapter 10 Section 5
Equipment:
1 universal circuit board
1 680KW resistor
1 1.8MW resistor V
4 jumpers
Figure 21-1
1 47µF capacitor
Capacitor discharging
1 Kelvin DMM leads
1 power supply
1 stopwatch
Objective:
If voltage vs. time is graphed on Cartesian
The objective of this experiment is to measure coordinates, the result is an exponential decay
the time constants for two RC circuits and to curve. From this curve it is possible to
determine the effect of a voltmeter on the determine:
circuit.
1) The time constant, by locating the 1/e point
Theory: when the voltage V0 has dropped to 37% of its
original value.
A circuit containing a resistor connected in
series with a capacitor is called a RC circuit. From this 1/e point (i.e., voltage value) a
When a charged capacitor discharges through horizontal line is drawn to the exponential
a resistance, the potential difference across the curve and then extended down (vertically) to a
capacitor decreases exponentially. The point on the x(time)-axis. This time is the RC
voltage across the capacitor in this case is time.
given by:
2) Two times the RC time, by locating the 1/e2
V = V0 e−t RC Equation 1 point when the voltage V0 has reached 13.5 %
of its original value. Use the same procedure
as above.
where V0 is the potential difference across the
capacitor at time t=0.
From the relationship V = V0 e− t RC
The RC time constant (represented by t) is
defined as the time it takes for the voltage to we see that
drop to 37% of its original value (i.e., when
lnV = lnV0 − t / RC or lnV = −t / RC + lnV0 .
the voltage is 1/e of its original value, e being
the irrational number 2.718...). This is the
case when t=RC. The time that it takes for V0 Graphing natural log of voltage vs. time on a
to drop to 13.5% of the original voltage [since semi-log plot yields a straight line with slope
(1/e )( 1/e ) =1/e2=0.135] is two times the RC of minus 1/RC & a y-intercept of lnV0, so that
time (i.e., 2RC). the value of the time constant can be
determined.
Procedure: high light “ln()”. Then go to “variables
(column)” and high light “Y” (or whatever
1. Construct the circuit that appears in figure you named your previous Y column).
21-1 using the 680KW resistor. Note: The
capacitors have a polarity. They must be Redraw the graph by clicking on the "Y"
placed in the circuit with the negative side (label of graph) next to the y-axis and
of the capacitor on the negative side (black selecting “ln voltage” column. Determine the
pole) of the power supply). slope of the line by using the automatic curve
fit and choosing a linear fit. The slope of this
2. After having the circuit approved by your line is equal to 1/RC. Calculate the RC time
lab instructor, turn on the power supply and constants from the slopes for each of the RC
charge the capacitor until it reads 10 volts. circuits. Print graph(s).
Disconnect the wire from the power supply
and begin monitoring the voltage in 5 second 6. Measure the resistance of your resistors
intervals for the first 20 seconds, 10 second with the ohmmeter. Your instructor will give
intervals until 60 seconds and twenty second you the DMM values of your capacitor.
intervals until you reach a total time of 120 Calculate the RC time values using the DMM
seconds. Record these voltages and times in values. See Theory.
your lab notebook. You should prepare a
data table before you start. 7. You have now determined the RC time
constant for each resistor by three different
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the 1.8MW. methods. (DMM, Cartesian and semi-log
Please note that your twenty second plots). Calculate the percent difference
intervals should extend to 220 seconds. between the DMM values and the average
experimental values obtained from the
4. Graph voltage versus time on Cartesian experiment.
coordinates using Graphical Analysis. You
will now determine the equation of your 8. Calculate the percent difference between
plotted data. Go to Analyze/ Automatic the 1/e2time obtained from the Cartesian plot
curve fit and choose exponential curve fit and the DMM 1/e2time value. Please note that
(Exp). two times the RC value is the 1/e2time.
Print the graph. Be sure and use “Print Questions/Conclusions:

Graph” and not “Print”.
1. Show that the product of RC has the units
2 of seconds (t=RC).
Using a straightedge locate the 1/e and the 1/e
points (on the y axis) and the defined times for 2. In theory, the time to fully discharge a
the discharge curves and label these time on capacitor would approach infinity, but in
the x axis of the graph. practice five RC time constants is usually
enough.
5. Next, graph voltage versus time for each
RC circuit on a semi-log graph, with the Assuming that the DMM you used has a
natural log of voltage (i.e., ln voltage) on the resolution of 0.1volts and a 10V initial
logarithmic (Y) axis and time on the linear (X) voltage, show that 5 RC time constants is a
axis. Note that y axis has no units. good estimate for the capacitor being totally
discharged.
Go to Data/New Calculated Column/.
Rename column from “calculated column” to
“ln voltage”. Next go to “functions” and
3. Discuss the effect of the DMM (i.e., the
voltmeter) on your circuit and on the RC time
compared to an ideal voltmeter.
4. You are to manually plot one set of data

only (either the 620K Ohm or 1.8 M resistor
data) on a sheet of semi log paper.
Lastly, determine the slope of your linear fit.

Show all work. Compare your fit to the
computer fit.
There are many good websites to show you

how to plot and how to (linearly) fit your
data.
Semi-log paper can also be found on-line.

PHYS222
Results
RC Time Constant Experiment
Part 1 Results
680 K ohm Resistor and 47 µ F capacitor
Method RC time (τ) % diff 2xRCtime(2τ) % diff

(sec) (w.r.t. ideal (sec) (w.r.t. ideal
Voltmeter) Voltmeter)
Color code
(0.680M Ω x47 µ F)
RDMM times CDMM xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
(ideal voltmeter)
Req times CDMM

(real voltmeter)
Cartesian plot
Semi-log plot xxxxxxxx
Part 2 Results
1.80 M ohm Resistor and 47 µ F capacitor
Method RC time(τ) % diff 2xRCtime(2τ) % diff

(sec) (w.r.t. ideal (sec) (w.r.t. ideal
Voltmeter) Voltmeter)
Color code
(1.80 M Ω x 47 µ F)
RDMM times CDMM xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
(ideal voltmeter)
Req times CDMM

(real voltmeter)
Cartesian plot
Semi-log plot xxxxxxxx

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Experiment 21

Print the graph. Be sure and use “Print Questions/Conclusions:

4. You are to manually plot one set of data

Lastly, determine the slope of your linear fit.

There are many good websites to show you

Semi-log paper can also be found on-line.

Method RC time (τ) % diff 2xRCtime(2τ) % diff

Req times CDMM

Semi-log plot xxxxxxxx

1.80 M ohm Resistor and 47 µ F capacitor

Method RC time(τ) % diff 2xRCtime(2τ) % diff

Req times CDMM

Semi-log plot xxxxxxxx

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