Certificate

This is to certify that Shivam Laskar, student of Class XII, Army Public
School Narangi, has successfully completed the project titled “Capacitor:
Charging and Discharging”, as a part of the CBSE curriculum for the
academic session 2024-2025.

I sincerely thank my Principal, Dr. Bandana Baruah, for her support and
encouragement, and express my gratitude to Pushpa Adhikari Sir, Physics
teacher, for his invaluable guidance throughout this project.

Signature: Signature:
(Internal Examiner) (External Examiner)
 Acknowledgement

I, Shivam Laskar, would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who
supported and guided me throughout the completion of my Physics project titled
"Capacitor Charging and Discharging".

First and foremost, I extend my sincere thanks to Pushpa Adhikari Sir, my

Physics teacher, for his invaluable guidance, encouragement, and insights that
helped me understand the concepts and complete the project successfully. I am
also deeply grateful to Apurba Sir, whose assistance and cooperation in
conducting experiments and arranging resources were instrumental in achieving
the desired results.

I would also like to express my profound gratitude to my parents for their

constant support, motivation, and encouragement throughout this journey. Their
unwavering belief in my abilities has always been my source of strength.

This project would not have been possible without the collective efforts and
support of everyone mentioned above. Thank you all for making this endeavor a
meaningful and enriching experience.
 Introduction

Capacitors are essential components in modern electronics, playing a critical role

in storing and releasing electrical energy. The process of charging and
discharging a capacitor not only forms the foundation of its functionality but also
highlights the underlying principles of electricity and electromagnetism. This
project delves into the behavior of capacitors during these processes, exploring
the physics behind energy storage, time constants, and the exponential nature of
voltage and current changes.

The charging and discharging of capacitors are governed by simple yet profound
laws, including Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff's Laws, and are characterized by
exponential growth and decay curves. These principles find applications in
numerous fields, such as timing circuits, filters, power supplies, and signal
processing. Understanding these processes is crucial for grasping the operation
of more complex electronic systems and devices.

In this project, the theoretical concepts are explored alongside practical

experiments to study the variations in current and voltage over time during the
charging and discharging phases. By analyzing these variations, the project aims
to provide a comprehensive understanding of capacitor behavior and its
applications in real-world electronic systems
 Materials Required

1.)​ Cardboard - 1 —--------------------------------------------->

2.)​ Capacitor 1000µf 25 volt —------------------------------>

3.)​ Switch - 2 —--------------------------------------------------->

4.)​ LED - 2 —------------------------------------------------------>

5.)​ Resistor - 1kΩ —-------------------------------------------->

6.)​ 9V Battery - 1 —--------------------------------------------->

7.)​ Masking Tape - 1 —---------------------------------------->

8.)​ Fevicol - 1 —------------------------------------------------->

9.)​ Connecting wires —--------------------------------------->

10.)​ Soldering Kit —------------------------------------------>

 Theory
A capacitor is an electrical component designed to store and release electrical
energy. It consists of two conducting plates separated by an insulating material
known as a dielectric. When a voltage is applied across the plates, an electric
field is established, causing charges to accumulate on the plates, creating a
potential difference. This ability to store charge is quantified by the capacitance
CCC, measured in farads (F).

1. Charging of a Capacitor
When a capacitor is connected to a DC voltage source through a resistor, it
begins to charge. The charging process is governed by Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
(KVL), which states that the sum of potential differences in a closed circuit is
zero.

For a series RC circuit, the governing equation is:

V=VR+VC

where V is the source voltage, VR​ is the voltage across the resistor, and VC​is the
voltage across the capacitor.

Using Ohm’s Law (VR=IR) and the relationship I=dQ/dt, we derive the equation
for the charging capacitor:

(Q/C) + R(dQ/dt) = V

The solution to this differential equation gives the charge Q on the capacitor as a
function of time t:

Q(t)=Qmax(1-e-(t/RC))

where Qmax=CV is the maximum charge the capacitor can store.

The voltage across the capacitor during charging is:

VC(t)=V(1-e-(t/RC))

Here, RC is the time constant of the circuit, which determines how quickly the
capacitor charges. The current during charging decreases exponentially as:
 I(t)=(V/R) x e-(t/RC)

2. Discharging of a Capacitor
When the charged capacitor is disconnected from the voltage source and
connected to a resistor, it begins to discharge. The energy stored in the capacitor
is released through the resistor.

Using KVL for the discharging circuit:

VC=VR

Substituting VC=(Q/C) and VR=IR, we get:

(Q/C)=R(dQ/dt)

Solving this differential equation, the charge on the capacitor as a function of time
is:

Q(t)=Q0e-(t/RC)

where Q0 is the initial charge on the capacitor.

The voltage across the capacitor during discharge follows the same exponential
decay:

VC(t)=V0e-(t/RC)

where V0​is the initial voltage across the capacitor.

The current during discharge also decreases exponentially as:

I(t) = -(V0/R) x e-(t/RC)

3. Energy Stored in a Capacitor

The energy stored in a charged capacitor is given by:

E=(½)CV2

During discharge, this energy is dissipated as heat in the resistor.

 Procedure

1. Setup the Circuit:

•Connect the positive terminal of the capacitor to the positive terminal of the
battery via a resistor and a switch.

• Connect one LED in series to indicate the charging process.

• Connect the second LED in parallel to the capacitor with another switch to
indicate the discharging process.

• Ensure all connections are secure and correct as per the circuit diagram.

2. Charging Process:

• Close the first switch to connect the capacitor to the battery.

• Observe the red LED glowing brightly initially and then dimming as the
capacitor charges fully.

3. Discharging Process:

• Open the first switch and close the second switch to connect the capacitor to
the green LED.

• Observe the green LED glowing and then gradually dimming as the capacitor
discharges.
 Practical Applications

1.​ Timing Circuits:-

●​ Oscillators: Capacitors are crucial components in oscillator circuits, such

as the 555 timer IC, where they charge and discharge at a regular rate.
This timing function is vital in creating stable frequency signals for clocks,
pulse generation, and waveforms.
●​ Pulse Generation: Capacitors charge and discharge in specific intervals
to generate precise pulse widths. These pulses are often used in digital
circuits to time operations in systems like microcontrollers.

2.​ Filters in Electronic Circuits:-

●​ Low-pass Filters: Capacitors are used in RC low-pass filters, where they

smooth out high-frequency signals while allowing low-frequency signals to
pass. This is particularly important in audio equipment and signal
processing systems.
●​ High-pass Filters: Capacitors are also used in RC high-pass filters,
where they block low-frequency signals and allow high-frequency signals
to pass through. This is commonly used in audio equalizers and
radio-frequency applications.

3.​ Power Supply Smoothing:-

●​ Voltage Regulation: In power supplies, capacitors smooth the output of

rectifiers (which convert AC to DC). After rectification, the DC voltage has
ripples, and capacitors help filter these ripples, ensuring a more stable and
consistent DC output.
●​ Smoothing Capacitors: These capacitors store energy when the voltage
increases and release it when the voltage decreases, ensuring a steady
voltage supply to sensitive electronic components, such as
microprocessors and sensors.

4.​ Energy Storage in Flash Devices:-

●​ Flash Cameras: In camera flash circuits, capacitors charge rapidly to

store energy, which is then discharged in a short, intense burst to produce
a flash of light. The rapid charging and discharging cycles of capacitors
provide the required energy for a brief but powerful light flash.
●​ Power Banks: In energy storage applications, capacitors charge and
discharge to store energy for later use. This is used in systems such as
flashlights or portable power banks that require quick bursts of energy.

5.​ Motor Starters:-

●​ Capacitor Start Motors: In certain motors, capacitors are used to provide

a high starting torque by discharging rapidly at the motor's start-up. The
capacitor helps improve the efficiency of induction motors in devices like
fans and compressors.
●​ Capacitor-Run Motors: These motors use capacitors continuously to
improve efficiency by reducing power loss during operation. The charging
and discharging cycles help maintain a steady operating current.
 Conclusion

In conclusion, this project on Capacitor Charging and Discharging has

successfully demonstrated the exponential nature of voltage and current
variations in a series RC circuit. Through experimental observations and
theoretical analysis, it has been confirmed that the capacitor charges and
discharges according to the exponential law, with the time constant T(tau)=RC
being a key factor in determining the rate of charging and discharging.

The experiment clearly illustrated how the voltage across the capacitor gradually
increases during the charging phase and decreases during discharging, following
the mathematical expressions derived in theory. The graphs obtained from the
experiment closely matched the theoretical predictions, validating the relationship
between time and the capacitor's voltage and current.

Additionally, the project highlighted the significance of capacitors in practical

applications, such as timing circuits, power supply filtering, and energy storage.
These findings emphasize the importance of capacitors in modern electronic
systems and their role in energy management, signal processing, and stability in
circuits.

Overall, the project not only reinforced the theoretical concepts behind capacitor
behavior but also enhanced my understanding of the practical applications of
capacitors in various fields of electronics and electrical engineering.
 Bibliography

1.)​Capacitor Charging and Discharging - YouTube​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_S-Ni5n-2s

2.)​Charging and Discharging of Capacitor - BYJU'S​

https://byjus.com/jee/charging-and-discharging-of-capacitor/?utm_source=
chatgpt.com

3.)​Capacitor Charging & Discharging | Formula, Equations & Examples -

Study.com

https://study.com/learn/lesson/capacitor-charging-discharging-construction-
equations-examples.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

4.)​RC Discharging Circuit Tutorial & RC Time Constant - Electronics

Tutorials​
https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/rc/rc_2.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

5.)​Charging and Discharging of Capacitor - Vedantu​

https://www.vedantu.com/jee-main/physics-charging-and-discharging-of-ca
pacitor?utm_source=chatgpt.com