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Interactive Simulations for Teaching Physics
RC Circuit
Authors: Ms. Giselle dos Santos Castro - Federal University of Ceara - UFC
Dr. Nildo Loiola Dias - Federal University of Ceara - UFC
CONTROLS:
- Choose a resistor from 5 possibilities.
- Choose a capacitor from 6 possibilities.
- Click on APPLY COMPONENTS to incorporate the chosen components into the circuit.
- Connect the multimeter probes to the numbered points (1, 2 or 3) on the circuit and choose an appropriate scale on the voltmeter (DC voltage).
- Adjust the power supply output voltage using the slider.
- Click on the key to switch between points a and b. By clicking on the toggle switch, the timer is reset and activated.
- Click the central stopwatch button to stop and the right button to reset.
- Click on CHOOSE COMPONENTS if the capacitor burns out (indicated by a blurred image of the capacitor) or if you want to change any of the components.
- Click REPLACE MULTIMETER if it burns out (indicated by a blurry image of it).
DESCRIPTION OF THE SIMULATION:
This simulation allows the study of the RC circuit formed by a resistor and a capacitor connected in series to a DC voltage source. There are 5 resistors and 6 capacitors options. The simulation makes it possible to study the variation of voltage across the capacitor or resistor as a function of time during the charging or discharging of the capacitor. The values of the programmed resistors are exactly those indicated in the simulation; however, the values of the capacitances can vary within a range of 10% of the nominal value. This variation changes with each restart, but always within 10%. When switching the key between points “a” and “b”, the stopwatch is reset and started.
For an analysis of the data, consult one of the proposed ACTIVITY GUIDE.
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