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Question

Go to http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-ac

and click on Run Now. Need help with all of these questions please:

Predict the changes to the graphs if the amount of capacitance increases. Use the graphs drawn below to show the original graphs and the changes that you predict. Explain the reasons for your predictions.

h. Right click on the capacitor and increase the capacitance. Use another color to show the results on your charging and discharging graphs above.

i. What happens to the current through the circuit as time goes on? j. What happens to the amount of charge on the capacitor as time goes on?

k. What is the function of a resistor in a circuit? How does it affect the amount of charge that flows? How does it affect the rate at which charge flows? How does it affect the initial and final voltage across the capacitor?

l. What is the function of a capacitor in a circuit? How does it affect the amount of charge that flows? How does it affect the rate at which charge flows? How does it affect the initial and final voltage across the resistor? How does the capacitor make charge move when there is no battery in the circuit?

Explanation / Answer

h. As we increase the capacitance of the capacitor the time constant of the RC circuit decreases

that means the curve will come down more slower at the time of discharging

and move even slower in the time of charging

as we know time constant = RC

so on increasing C the time constant increases

i]the current in the circuit keeps on decreasing as the time goes

as we know

I(t) = I0 {e^-t/RC}

and as the time passes the charge reaches its maximum and follows the equation

Q{t}= Q{1-e^-t/RC}

k]resistor plays a very important role as the time passes as it doesnot affect any current flow nor the charge flow nor the voltage as it is fixed the whole criteria is changed by the capacitor

l]the whole thing is effected by the capacitor

current -----> keeps on decreasing due to the capacitor

charge on capacitor ---> keeps on increasing as time passes

voltage ----> there is no effect due to capacitor on the voltage

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