Step 1 of 4
Basic Electrical Circuit
Build a simple RC circuit: a battery \(V_0\), a resistor \(R\), and a capacitor \(C\). Adjust \(V_0\), \(R\), and \(C\), then click “Start” to watch the capacitor charge. Observe real‐time \(V_C(t)\), \(I(t)\), and a live graph of capacitor voltage over time. After \(5\tau\), a quiz appears.
5.0 V
100 Ω
100 µF
Time: 0.00 s
Voltage \(V_C\): 0.00 V
Current \(I\): 0.00 A
Time Constant \(\tau\): 0.01 s
Post-Lab Quiz
- Write the expression for \(\tau = R\,C\). Based on the sliders, calculate the theoretical \(\tau\). Compare it to the time at which \(V_C(t)\) reaches ~63% of \(V_0\).
- If you double \(R\) while keeping \(C\) and \(V_0\) fixed, how does the charging curve change? Explain qualitatively.