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Circuits / Getting started

RC circuit with a square wave

C1 charges and discharges with τ = R·C; compare it with the period of G1

RC circuit with a square wave, simulated on a breadboard

Tap a part to see its voltages and currents. It is a model, not a measurement.

Predict, measure, explain

  1. Predict A 0 to 5 V square wave at 100 Hz charges the capacitor through 1 kΩ. Does it reach 5 V?
  2. Measure Watch the capacitor's voltage. Then raise the generator to 1 kHz.
  3. Explain
    Show the answerHide the answer

    Almost: at 100 Hz each half lasts 5 ms, five times RC, so it swings from 0.1 to 4.9 V. At 1 kHz a half lasts 0.5 ms and it only swings from 1.9 to 3.1 V.

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