AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY–BANGLADESH (AIUB)

FACULTY OF SCIENCE &

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF
PHYSICS
PHYSICS 1 LAB
Spring 2022-2023

Section: C2, Group: 08

LAB REPORT ON
Determination of the Time Constant of RC Circuit

Supervised By
DR. MAHJABIN TASKIN

Submitted By
Name ID Contribution
1. Mahi Rahman 23-50643-1 Data entry & Analysis
2. Shantanu Karmaker 23-50639-1 Theory
3. Imrul Hoque Sayem 23-50685-1 Procedure & discussion
4. Shahriar Ahsan Joha 23-50664-1 Tables, equations & figures
5. Jubair Ibney Fahim 23-50700-1 Calculations & proofreading

Date of Submission: 5th April, 2023

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPICS Page no.

I. Title Page 1
II. Table of Content 2
1. Theory 3
2. Apparatus 5
3. Procedure 5
4. Experimental Data 6
5. Analysis and Calculation 7
6. Result 9
7. Discussion 9
8. References 10

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 2 of 8

 1. Theory

Capacitors are used in timing circuit in many devices. The time that the dome lights inside a car stay on after
turning off the cars ignition at night is one example of how a capacitor can be used to maintain the lighting long
enough to remove the key and collect things before exiting. The values we use to characterize these kinds of
circuits is given by the time constant defined as: τ = RC, where R is the circuit resistance and C is the
capacitance. In this lab, we will observe the charging and discharging of a capacitor and determine the time
constant of a RC circuit.

Fig 1: Circuit for RC charge-discharge measurement where V(t) is the potential difference across the capacitor as
a function of time
V(t) /
Vm

Fig 2: Potential difference across a capacitor in an RC circuit as a function of time.

The time constant can be determine by observing the either the charging and discharging process
of the capacitor as the Fig. 6.2 shows. For the charging process, τ is the time for V(t) to reach 63% of its final
value. For the discharging process, τ is the time for V(t) to fall 63% from its initial

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 3 of 8

value.

In the RC circuit in fig. 6.1, if at t = 0 switch A is closed (switch B remains open) charges will begin to build up in
the capacitor. These charges do not accumulate within the capacitor instantaneously due to the resistance provided
by the resistor. The potential difference across the capacitor for this process can be expressed as

𝑽(t) = 𝑽m (𝟏 − 𝒆−t/𝝉)………….. (1)

where Vm is the maximum potential difference across the capacitor.

After a sufficiently long time (much larger than time constant), if switch A is open while switch B is closed, the
capacitor will discharge all of its accumulated charges. The potential difference across the capacitor can be
expressed as
𝑽(t) = 𝑽m 𝒆−t/𝝉 …………...... (2)

For charging, Eq. 1 can be written as,

ln 1−[ vm ]()
v (t )
=
1
τ
t ........... (3)

Comparing Eq. 3 with y = mx and plotting a graph of "ln 1− [ vm ]

v (t )
𝒗s t" we get the value of 𝜏

−1
as 𝜏 = m , where m is the slope of the graph.

On the other hand, for discharging, Eq. 2 can be written as,

lnV ( t )= (−1τ )t +ln V m … … … . (4)

Comparing Eq. 4 with y = mx + c and plotting a graph of "ln 𝑽(t) 𝒗s t " we get the value of 𝜏 as
−1
τ=
m

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 4 of 8

2. Apparatus

Power supply
Circuit boards
Capacitor
Stopwatch
Multi meter
Resistors and
Conducting wires.

3. Procedure

 We constructed the RC circuit on the circuit board as the circuit diagram was shown.
 We applied a sufficient voltage from the power supply and observed the charging of the apacitor and noted
the voltage according to the time
 We disconnect the power supply from the circuit and observer the discharging of the capacitor with the time

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 5 of 8

4. Experimental Data

Table: Charging & Discharging of an RC circuit.

Maximum potential difference (ɛ)= 5.68

Charging capacitor Discharging capacitor

Time (S)
Vc (volt) Vc Vc (volt) Vc
ln ( 1 - ) ln ( )
ɛ ɛ
0 0 0 5.68 0
30 0.75 -0.1416 4.96 -0.13
60 1.36 -0.27 4.40 -0.25
90 1.91 -0.41 3.89 -0.37
120 2.45 -0.56 3.43 -0.50
150 2.81 -0.68 3.03 -0.62
180 3.27 -0.86 2.68 -0.75
210 3.54 -0.98 2.37 -0.88
240 3.83 -1.12 2.10 -0.99
270 4.08 -1.27 1.86 -1.11
300 4.32 -1.43 1.65 -1.23
330 4.52 -1.59 1.46 -1.35
360 4.74 -1.80 1.30 -1.47
390 4.86 -1.94 1.15 -1.59
420 4.98 -2.09 1.02 -1.71
450 5.10 -2.28 0.90 -1.84
480 5.21 -2.49 0.80 -1.96
510 5.30 -2.70 0.71 -2.07
540 5.39 -2.97 0.63 -2.19
570 5.46 -3.25 0.56 -2.31
600 5.53 -3.63 0.50 -2.43
630 5.59 -4.14 0.41 -2.62
660 5.63 -4.73 0.39 -2.67
690 5.68 ∞ 0.35 -2.78

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 6 of 8

5. Analysis and Calculation

 EXCEL was used to plot “Vc versus t” graphs for charging and discharging .
 From the relation: ↊=RC ,the value of time constant were estimated.
Vc
 For charging, a graph of “ln ( 1 - ) vs t” was plotted and from the value of slope, the value of time
ɛ
constant was calculated.
Vc
 For discharging, a graph of “ln ( ) vs t” was plotted and from the value of slope, the value of time
ɛ
constant were calculated again.

ln(1-Vc/ɛ) vs T
5
4
f(x) = 0.00632193675889328 x − 0.289213043478261
ln(1-Vc/ɛ)

3
2
1
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
T

Graph 1&2: Charging Capacitor.

Vc vs T ln(Vc/ɛ) vs T
6 3
5 2.5 f(x) = 0.00404753623188406 x + 0.0127666666666666
4 2
f(x) = − 0.00690304347826087 x + 4.3078
ln(Vc/ɛ)

3 1.5
Vc

2 1
1 0.5
0 0
0 Lab100
Report200 300 400 500 600 700 Department
800 of Physics
0 100 200 300 400 6007 of700
500 Page 8 800
T
T
 Graph 3&4: Discharging Capacitor.

Charging capacitor

Theoretically:

Time constant, 𝜏 = 𝑅𝐶 = 100 K × 2200 μF = 220 μF

Experimentally:

While charging a capacitor: τth- τex τth

1
From the graph, Slope, m = - =0.0063
τ

1
𝜏=- = -158.73
m

τ th−τ ex
Error of τ = ×100%
τ th
220−158.73
= × 100% = 27.8590%
220

While discharging a capacitor:

Theoretically:

Time constant, 𝜏=RC=100×103×2200×10-6 =220 μF

1
From the graph, Slope, m = - =0.0041
τ
Lab Report Department of Physics Page 8 of 8
 1
τ =- = -243.90
m
τ th−τ ex
Error or 𝜏= ×100% = -10.45%
τ th

6. Result
Table: Values of time constant, τ.

From the graphs Comments

Process Estimated Theoretically, time constant is 220 seconds.
Values of τ Values of τ
in seconds (=RC) in seconds Experimentally, the value of time constant is
Charging 158.73 seconds while charging and 243.90
seconds while discharging the capacitor
158.73 according to the graphs.

The difference between the time constants

while charging and discharging is 83.17
Discharging seconds.
220
Error between theoretical and experimental
time constant (while charging) is 25.86% and
243.90 error between theoretical and experimental
time constant (while discharging) is -10.45%.

7. Discussion

 Some problem were faced in constructing the RC circuit.

 Very careful note taking was done for all the notes.

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 9 of 8

 There might be some calculation error that could have been made.
 Some instrumental error might be present.

8. References

 Fundamental of Physics (10th Edition): Capacitor ( Chapter 25, page 717-721)

RC Circuit (Chapter 27, page 788-791)

 Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_MZNsEqyQw
(4) 22 - Circuits - Time constant of an RC circuit - YouTube

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 10 of