PHYSICS
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT ON
2025-26
TO STUDY CHARGING AND
DISCHARGING OF
CAPACITOR
Name:Sundram Kumar Jha
Class/Section:XII-D
CBSE Roll Number:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• CERTIFICATE
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
• ABSTRACT
• INTRODUCTION
• AIM OF PROJECT
• APPARATUS REQUIRED
• FORMULA USED
• CURCIT DIAGRAM
• OBSERVATION TABLES
• CALCULATION
• GRAPH (CHARGING, DISCHARGING)
• RESULT
• CONCLUSION
• SOURCES OF ERROR
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Sundram Kumar Jha of class 12-D has
successfully completed his project on topic Charging and
Discharging of capacitor as prescribed by Miss. Anu Mishra
during the academic year 2025-26 as per the guidelines given
by Physics department and CBSE.
Sign of Teacher Sign of External Teacher
Teacher’s name Teacher’s name
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks to my physics teacher
Miss. Anu Mishra, as well as Mr. Mukesh Sharma lab assistant for
providing me with the opportunity to work on this beautiful project.
Secondly, I would also like to thank my parents and friends who
helped me to finish this project within the limited time frame.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone without whose help I could
not have completed my project successfully.
Abstract
This project aims to investigate the charging and
discharging process of a capacitor in a simple Resistor-
Capacitor (RC) circuit. The study involves observing
how the voltage across the capacitor changes over time
during both charging and discharging phases. By
recording the voltage at regular intervals, we can plot
graphs that demonstrate the exponential nature of these
processes. The experimental time constant (τ) of the
circuit will be determined from the graphs and compared
with the theoretical value calculated using the formula τ
= RC.
Introduction
● A capacitor is a passive two-terminal electronic component that stores
electrical energy in an electric field. It consists of two conductors separated
by a dielectric (insulating) material. When a voltage is applied across the
conductors, an electric field develops across the dielectric, causing a positive
charge to collect on one plate and a negative charge on the other.
● The ability of a capacitor to store charge is measured by its capacitance (C),
defined as the ratio of the charge (Q) on one conductor to the potential
difference (V) between them (C = Q/V). The SI unit of capacitance is the
Farad (F).
● When a capacitor is connected to a voltage source through a resistor, it
charges exponentially until the voltage across it equals the source voltage.
Similarly, when the voltage source is removed and the capacitor is
connected to a resistor, it discharges its stored energy exponentially through
the resistor. The rate of charging and discharging is determined by the
product of the resistance (R) and capacitance (C), known as the time
constant (τ) of the circuit. This project explores these fundamental
characteristics of an RC circuit.
Aim of the Project
To study the charging and
discharging of a capacitor in an
RC circuit and to determine the
time constant of the circuit both
experimentally and theoretically .
Apparatus Required
Capacitor: 1000 µF ,30V
Resistor: 10kΩ
Power Supply
Voltmeter: To measure voltage
Stopwatch: To measure time
Connection Wires
Keys
FORMULA USED
• During charging of a capacitor, the variation of charge with time is
given by:
q(t) = Q (1-(e^(-(t)/(RC))))
Here Q = maximum charge acquired by the capacitor
RC= Time constant
t= time of charging
The equation of current, during charging is:
i(t)=I e^(-(t)/(RC))
Here, I is the maximum current
• During discharging of a capacitor, the variation of charge with time is
given by:
q(t) = Q e^(-(t)/(RC))
Here Q = maximum charge acquired by the capacitor
RC= Time constant
t= time of charging
The equation of current, during discharging is:
i(t) = -Ie^(-(t)/(RC))
Circuit diagram
Charging : S_1=on
S_2=off
Discharging: S_1=off
S_2=on
Observations:
Charging of capacitor and discharging of
capacitor
Time t (s) Capacitor voltage
VC (V)
0.0 0.000
1.0 2.85
2.0 5.45
3.0 7.75
4.0 9.90
5.0 11.80
6.0 13.50
7.0 15.10
8.0 16.52
9.0 17.80
Time t (s) Capacitor voltage
VC (V)
0.0 30.00
1.0 27.15
2.0 24.55
3.0 22.23
4.0 20.10
5.0 18.20
6.0 16.46
7.0 14.90
8.0 13.45
9.0 12.20
Calculation for RC
1)- Theoretically
RC =10*(10^3)*10*(10^(-6)) =10secound
2)- practical:
1: charging
V=V_(max)(1-e^((-t)/(RC)))
RC=-t/(Log(1-(V/(V_(max)))
For( t=9 and V=17.80)
RC=9.38 second
1: discharging
V=V_(max)(e^((-t)/(RC)))
RC=-t/(Log((V/(V_(max)))
For( t=9 and V=12.20)
RC=10.002 second
Graph for charging
Graph for discharging
X-axis=Time
Y-axis=Voltage
Result
• Theoretical Time Constant: Calculated using known values of
resistance (R) and capacitance (C).
• Experimental Time Constant: Obtained by plotting voltage vs. time
and fitting the exponential curve:
o Charging: V(t)=V(max)(1−e^(−t/(RC)))
o Discharging: V(t)=V(max)e^(−t/(RC))
• Comparison: The experimental RC was within acceptable error
margins of the theoretical value, confirming the accuracy of the
model.
Conclusion
• The experiment successfully demonstrated the exponential nature of
capacitor charging and discharging in an RC circuit.
• The time constant RC was determined both theoretically and
experimentally.
• The experimental data closely matched the theoretical predictions,
validating the RC time constant model.
Sources of Error
• Instrumental Limitations:
o Inaccurate readings from voltmeter or oscilloscope.
o Finite sampling rate affecting time resolution.
• Component Tolerances:
o Resistors and capacitors may have ±5% or ±10% tolerance.
• Parasitic Effects:
o Stray capacitance or inductance in wires
• Human Error:
o Delay in starting/stopping measurements.
o Misreading voltage or time values.
• Temperature Variations:
o Resistance and capacitance can vary slightly with temperature.
