Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University,

Gopalganj, Bangladesh

Faculty of Science
Department of Physics
B. Sc. (Hon’s) in Physics

Lab Report

Experiment No:

Experiment Name: To study the frequency dependency of capacitor voltage in series RC circuit.

Course Title: Physics practical I

Course Code: PHY-106

Submitted by, Submitted to,

Name : Md. Rabiul Islam

Lecturer, Department of
Roll :
APECE,
Year : BSMRSTU
Semester :
Session :
Department :

Submission Date:
Experiment No: Date:

Experiment Name: To study the frequency dependency of capacitor voltage in series RC circuit.

Theory

The capacitor is a component which has the ability or “capacity” to store energy in the form of
an electrical charge producing a potential difference (Static Voltage) across its plates, much like
a small rechargeable battery. Figure (1) shows a pure capacitor connected to a power supply.

Figure (1): Capacitor connected to signal generator.

Let the voltage be represented by,

𝑣 = 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡 (1)

Now

𝑑𝑞
𝑖=
𝑑𝑡
𝑑
= (𝐶𝑉)
𝑑𝑡
𝑑
=𝐶 (𝑉)
𝑑𝑡
𝑑
=𝐶 (𝑉 sin 𝜔𝑡)
𝑑𝑡 𝑚
𝑑
= 𝐶𝑉𝑚 (sin 𝜔𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
= 𝐶𝑉𝑚 𝜔 cos 𝜔𝑡

= Im cos 𝜔𝑡 (2)

From equation (1) and (2) current is cosine wave and supply voltage is sine wave. Again sine and
cosine waves have 900 phase difference. So that in purely inductive circuit the current leads the
supply voltage by 900 .

The wave form and the phasor diagram are shown in the following figure.
From equation (2)

𝐼𝑚 = 𝐶𝑉𝑚 𝜔

𝐼𝑚 𝑉𝑚
= 𝐶𝜔
√2 √2
𝐼𝑚
Here = 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝐼 and I is called Root Mean Squared (rms) value of current.
√2

𝑉𝑚 𝑉𝑚
= = 𝑉 and V is called Root Mean Squared (rms) value of voltage.
√2 √2 𝑟𝑚𝑠

So that

𝐼 = 𝑉𝐶𝜔

𝑉 1
=
𝐼 𝐶𝜔
𝑉
Here = 𝑋𝐶 and 𝑋𝐶 is called capacitive reactance of capacitor.
𝐼

So that

1
𝑋𝐶 =
𝐶𝜔
1
𝑋𝐶 =
𝐶2𝜋𝑓

1
𝑋𝐶 =
2𝜋𝑓𝐶

Now,

𝑉𝑐 = 𝐼𝑋𝑐
1
𝑉𝑐 = 𝐼
2𝜋𝑓𝐶

1
𝑉𝑐 ∝
𝑓

So capacitor voltage decreases with increasing frequency.

Working Diagram
 Fig. 1: Circuit diagram to study RC circuit.

Apparatus

1) Bread board
2) Resistor
3) Capacitor
4) Signal Generator
5) Ammeter
6) Voltmeter
7) Connecting wires

Procedure

1) Connect all components on the bread board according to the circuit of Fig. 1 on the bread
board.
2) Turn on the signal generator.
3) Set the range of the signal generator.
4) Increase the frequency by fixed amount.
5) Measure the voltage using voltmeter.
6) Repeat above steps until the voltage across capacitor reduces to very very small value.

Dataand Graph

Table1. Readings of voltmeter and ammeter

SI no. Frequency (HZ) Voltage (Volt)

1

5
 6

10

11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Result

Discussion

Precautions

1. All circuit elements should be connected tightly.

2. Signal generator voltage should be in the range of 0V to 20V.
3. Bread board, ammeter and voltmeter should be checked first.
4. The reading should be taken with great care.
5. Wires should be connected properly.