Lab 7 Hints
Activity 1C, 1B
Activity 1A Battery or power supply (in previous picture)
Activity 2 Oscilloscope lets you see the voltage across capacitor as a function of time Function generator mimics a battery that switches sign Capacitor Resistor
Circuit Wires from function generator Capacitor Resistor
Connect oscilloscope Capacitor Oscilloscope leads
Set up the function generator to mimic a battery that switches polarity “Square wave” mimics a battery that switches back and forth
Adjusting the oscilloscope 1) Set to “Auto” 2) Set to “Gnd” 3) Adjust until line is in middle of screen. This is the zero voltage line. 4) Set to “DC”
You should see this Adjust voltage scale (vertical) here. Adjust time scale (horizontal) here
Adjust the vertical scale (pull center) and trigger level until you get this….
Measure the time constant Time that it takes rising curve to reach 5/8 of the maximum Time constant
Measure the time constant Time that it takes falling curve to reach 3/8 of the maximum Time constant