RLC Circuits
Use the following PhET simulation to complete the experiment. Include this document, figures, and typed summary (Part 4) in your submission.
https:
phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/circuit-construction-kit-ac-virtual-la
Part 1 – LC Circuit
1. Create a circuit with a battery and a capacitor inseries to charge the capacitor. Right click the capacitor, click Change Capacitance, and note down the capacitance.
2. Press pause at the bottom of the screen and disconnect the battery and remove it from the simulation.
3. Connect an inductor in series with the capacitor. Right click the inductor, click Change Inductance, and write down the inductance. Press play a
ow. Note any observations you see.
4. Click Cu
ent Chart and place the detector on a wire in the circuit between the capacitor and inductor. Adjust the y-axis using the +/- a
ows so that you can see the full sinusoidal curve and maximum cu
ent. Note the maximum/minimum cu
ent. To your best ability write down the period between maximum peaks.
5. Using the inductance and capacitance values you write down calculate the resonant frequency ω0 = 1
√LC. Covert the period you measured in #4 to an angular frequency ω = 2π / Period. How do ω0 and ω relate?
6. Click Voltage Chart and place the detectors on either side of the capacitor. Add a second chart on both sides of the inductor. Make sure the polarity of the detectors is consistent. Adjust the y-axis using the +/- a
ows so that you can see the full sinusoidal curve and maximum voltage on each graph. Qualitatively note the similarities and differences between the curves. Not the maximum/minimum voltages. To your best ability write down the period between maximum peaks.
7. Screen grab your circuit and include the picture in your lab report. Save the circuit for your own records.
Part 2 – RLC Circuit
1. Create a circuit with an AC Voltage in series with a resistor, inductor, and capacitor. Note also the capacitance, inductance, and resistance as was done in Part 1.
2. Right click the AC Voltage and click Change Voltage and note the cu
ent value of the voltage. Click Change Frequency and note the cu
ent value of frequency.
3. Place Voltage Chart around each element in the circuit, include the AC Voltage. Make sure the polarity is consistent.
4. Mark the maximum/minimum voltage on each graph. Qualitatively note the similarities and differences between the graphs. Which graphs are in phase with one another? Which graphs are not? What about the sign of the amplitude?
5. Using the RMS voltages (VRMS = V0 / √2) show that the RMS voltage on the AC Voltage is consistent with the voltage sum of each element VRMS = √ [ (VRMS,R)^2 + (VRMS,L -VRMS,C)^2 ].
6. Using the resistance, capacitance, inductance, and the frequency of the AC Voltage calculate the impedance Z.
7. Place a Cu
ent Chart after the battery in the circuit. Note the maximum value of the cu
ent. Using the RMS cu
ent show that the RMS voltage from the AC Voltage is consistent with the RMS cu
ent and impedance.
8. Change the frequency of the AC Voltage to the resonant frequency and click Reset Dynamics. Allow the simulation to run for at least one minute to adjust. Repeat steps #4-7. What similarities and differences do you see between the two tests.
9. Screen grab your circuit and include the picture in your lab report. Save the circuit for your own records.