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Lab Prep - RC circuits

This assignment is due before 9 AM, Wednesday, October 8th, 2003.





Please select your lab section
Wednesday 1-3 PM
Thursday 2-4 PM
Please type your LAST name and first initial (example: Gavrin, A):


The following three questions refer to the material you were to read in preparation to the lesson. Questions one and two require you to write a three or four sentence response. Number three is a multiple choice question. Click in the appropriate circle.

You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses, click the SUBMIT button at the bottom of this page.



1.

What is the time constant for an RC circuit with a 500 ohm resistor and a 4 microfarad capacitor?




2.


The graph shown could be an oscilloscope trace of a discharging RC circuit. Please estimate the time constant of the circuit.






3.

What happens to the current in an RC circuit when the capacitor is charging?

Current remains constant at its initial value.

The current increases as an exponential function as the capacitor charges.

The current decreases as an exponential function as the capacitor charges.

The current is zero until the capacitor is fully charged.





Below is a space for your thoughts, including general comments about today's assignment (what seemed impossible, what reading didn't make sense, what we should spend class time on, what was "cool", etc.):




You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses click the SUBMIT button.