4/14/2015

Circuit Built

The day began by learning about capacitors. Our lab consisted of measuring the voltage across a resistor (100 Ω) and 1 µfarad capacitor in a circuit. The resistor is in series with the capacitor.

Pre-Lab & Measured Instruments

We sent three different time varying signals across the circuit using an Analog Discovery device. Before we actually did the lab we were asked to predict what would happen to the current when a capacitor is used.

Oscilloscope Screenshot

The first time varying signal sent into the circuit was a sine function with an amplitude of 2V and a frequency of 1kHz.

Oscilloscope Screenshot

The second time varying signal sent into the circuit was another since function but the time with a frequency of 2kHz.

Oscilloscope Screenshot

The last time varying signal sent into the circuit was a triangular function with an amplitude of 4V and frequency of 500Hz.

Summary:

Today we learned about capacitors and inductors. Capacitor's capacitance that are in series in a circuit are added inversely while capacitors in parallel are added directly. Capacitors are not ideal and so the capacitor symbols are usually accompanied by a resistor in parallel. Inductors are essentially just coils of wire. Like capacitors, inductors are not ideal and are usually accompanied by a resistor in series. Inductors can also act like capacitors at high frequencies. Capacitors and inductors are not commonly used with direct current.