Advanced undergraduate RC circuits: An experimentalist's perspective

Kelly, T. J.

Abstract

In this paper, an advanced undergraduate RC circuit is studied in two different ways. The circuit is a typical series RC circuit with a time-varying voltage source. The temporal profile of the voltage is an isolated, Gaussian shaped pulse. The voltage across the resistor as a function of time is analysed using two different methods: deriving an analytical expression and an analysis in the Laplace domain. An attempt is made to suggest and address common problems that students may have with understanding such circuits. A qualitative physical interpretation of the circuit operation is developed using Green's function.

Citation

Kelly, T. J. (2015). Advanced undergraduate RC circuits: An experimentalist's perspective. European Journal of Physics, 36(5), 055041. https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/36/5/055041

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Jul 10, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Aug 6, 2015
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jul 19, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 19, 2016
• Journal: European journal of physics
• Print ISSN: 0143-0807
• Publisher: European Physical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 5
• Article Number: ARTN 055041
• Pages: 055041
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/36/5/055041
• Keywords: RC circuits, Laplace transform, Undergraduate electronics
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/441305
• Publisher URL: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0143-0807/36/5/055041/meta
• Additional Information: Authors' accepted manuscript of article published in: European journal of physics, 2015, v.36.
• Contract Date: Jul 19, 2016